Bulgarian PM Comment on Russian-backed Energy Projects Draws Reproach from Moscow

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov must feel ashamed before voters of his statement that Russian energy projects in his country have been stopped in favour of partnership relations with the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"I was stupefied when I read a quote from a statement by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov, who had said that Bulgaria had backtracked on the implementation of energy projects with Russia, including the South Stream, in the interest of the United States," Lavrov said in an interview with Russia's NTV channel.

Borisov said at an American Chamber of Commerce conference in Sofia on Monday: "I am talking to you like this because we are partners and friends, not just when we have lunch, but also when there is a problem. ? We are friends... We stop Russian planes, we have also stopped three Russian projects, and if [we aren't] your partners, who is?"

The three cancelled energy projects Borisov referred to are the South Stream gas pipeline, Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and Belene nuclear power plant.

"It's astounding how people don't feel ashamed of such statements," Lavrov said.