EU will not block South Stream project

The European Commission does not intend to block the South Stream project, but intends to bring it into line with EU law, officials with the press service of the highest executive body of the European Union said.

Photo: AP photo

"We are not blocking the South Stream project, but want to match the EU legislation," European officials said.

On June 2nd, the European Commission formulated its claim to the project. Firstly, the Commission doubts that the South Stream conforms to the "Third Energy Package" of the EU. Secondly, Brussels suspected Bulgaria of violating European tendering rules and providing privileged opportunities to Russian and Bulgarian
companies.

Earlier, it was reported that Bulgaria stopped preparations for the implementation of the South Stream project on its territory. Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski ordered to suspend the work in this direction.

Several days ago, Rada-appointed Prime Minister Yatsenyuk addressed the European Union with a request to block the South Stream project. Bulgaria, in turn, announced the winner of the tender for the design and construction of the first section of the main overland pipeline South Stream. Bulgaria declared its readiness to begin construction later this year.