Lavrov Tells Bulgaria's Vigenin Russia Will Not Back on South Stream

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has demanded that the South Stream pipeline be excluded from the scope of the EU's Third Energy package.

He told reporters after meeting Bulgarian counterpart Kristian Vigenin that Moscow would also insist that negotiations with Brussels be renewed on the project.

"The EU Commission has already made a derogation regarding a number of other gas pipelines. We consider that the EU's approach will be reasonable," Lavrov argued, citing the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) as a recent example.

Moscow, though respecting the Third Energy Package, believes it cannot include agreements that were signed before it entered force, he elaborated.

"Our position is clear: [Third Energy Package] rules cannot be applied retrospectively. This is a basic principle of international law," the Bulgarian National Radio quoted him as saying.

Lavrov added he had underscored in his talks with Vigenin the importance of the construction of South Stream and had restated his country's readiness to pursue "a constructive dialogue" with all sides interested in the project, which include both parties to South Stream and the EU Commission.

Asked what concessions Russia was ready to make in EU talks on South Stream, the Foreign Minister rebuked the idea that partners should perceive the need of Moscow to step back as the solution to every problem.

Russia's top diplomat also commented on the Belene NPP and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, two projects Bulgaria renounced in 2012 and 2011, respectively, by saying they were still "on the table".

In his view, common projects should be based on mutual benefit and not on political considerations.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian...