Eni

Russian officials reacted to the order of Bulgaria's PM Oresharski to temporarily suspend the construction of the South Stream pipeline in Bulgaria until it complies with EU law.

Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev has described the South Stream gas pipeline as an irreversible European project.

Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has ordered a suspension of all activities related to the South Stream gas pipeline project until Bulgaria reaches agreement with the EU on it.

Oresharski, as cited by Darik radio, announced the step in a Sunday interview after a meeting with three US senators visiting Bulgaria – John McCain, Chris Murphy, and Ron Johnson.

Socialist MP Tasko Ermenkovhas suggested that both ruling party BSP and co-ruling party DPS are in favor of building the South Stream gas pipeline in compliance with EU law.

It is very possible that there is a link between the suspended regional development funds for Bulgaria and the South Stream gas pipeline, according to DPS MP Yordan Tsonev.

In an exclusive interview for Dnevnik.bg, US ambassador to Bulgaria Marcie Ries said the US were concerned with the construction of the Bulgarian stretch of South Stream.

According to recent reports, the Bulgarian stretch of the pipeline will be built by the Russian Stroytransgaz consortium.

Bulgaria’s ruling Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS, said it disagreed with its senior coalition partner, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, over plans to continue building the South Stream pipeline, which the EU has opposed.

The European Commission opened an infringement procedure against Bulgaria on 3 June, and asked the authorities to halt construction work in the meantime.

Bulgaria should not build the South Stream gas pipeline in disregard of the EU stance on the matter, according to the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party.

BELGRADE - If not cautious, Serbia could face the next winter without sufficient gas supplies due to the Ukrainian crisis, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic warned on Thursday.

EU Commission expects that Bulgaria will not pursue activities regarding the construction of South Stream gas pipeline while an infringement procedure is under way.