EU: Serbia can build South Stream pipeline

BRUSSELS- The EU will not interfere in the construction of the South Stream pipeline section through Serbia, but the pipeline will begin operating only after it has been adjusted to European legislations, the European Commission released on Wednesday.

Serbia is not a member of the EU and this is why we cannot require it to suspend the construction of the South Stream pipeline as was done with Bulgaria, said Marlene Holzner as the spokesperson of the Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger in response to the announcement by Gazprom which said that the construction of the pipeline section through Serbia would begin in October.

Still, she underscored that the pipeline, which should go through the EU for the most part, will not begin operating unless it complies with European regulations.

Earlier this year, the European Commission stated that Gazprom is breaching the European anti-monopoly legislations because it does not allow access to the South Stream for other gas producers, and added that the construction of the pipeline section through Bulgaria constitutes a violation of laws on public procurement.

Asked whether the construction of the pipeline could affect Serbia's EU accession talks, spokesman of the enlargement commissioner Peter Stano said that the South Stream issue would be tabled only after the negotiating chapter on energy is opened in the talks, which should happen this year.

This chapter will not close until all energy-related matters are adjusted to EU standards, he said.

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