South Stream "looks irreversible" - Bulgarian minister

Source: Reuters

BEIJING -- Bulgaria has not given up plans to build the South Stream natural gas pipeline, Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev was quoted as saying on Monday.

(Tanjug, file)

He also described the Gazprom-led project as "irreversible," Reuters reported.
On Sunday, Bulgaria announced it had halted work on the pipeline "after the European Union and United States expressed concerns about the project," the news agency said.

Last week the EU asked the country "to suspend work pending a decision on whether it complies with EU law."

Stoynev, who is visiting China, said he was "certain South Stream would be built once disputes over how to structure it as a European project are cleared":

"If we look at the situation strategically and without emotions, the South Stream project looks irreversible and important for both Europe and Bulgaria. I am convinced that all pending issues will find a solution."

"We really are actively working to close the open issues with the European Commission, meaning that we have not abandoned the project," Stoynev said.