/ world today news/ The Prime Minister wants “tasks” for Brussels from the MPs, they repented
Russia’s rejection of the South Stream project will be the main topic of today’s conversation between EC chief Jean-Claude Juncker and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. This was announced by Junker himself, quoted by TASS. He declined to comment on Russia’s decision. “For now, I will not speak on this issue. I have to hold consultations with the commissioners responsible for this file, and I will meet with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to discuss this topic,” Juncker added.
If the profits for Bulgaria are in the amount of 400 million euros per year, as the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated on Monday, then the launch of the “South Stream” project would be extremely profitable for us. This became clear from the words of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. “We could invest half of the amount, which is about BGN 1.5 billion, and after three years start getting it back. If that’s the profit, it becomes very profitable, let’s focus and try to save it as soon as is so profitable,” he said to the people’s representatives. Yesterday, Borisov came to the parliament to ask the deputies for “tasks” to defend both before the European Union and before Russia. Since yesterday, the Prime Minister has been in Brussels and will have meetings with the President of the EC Jean-Claude Juncker, with the new President of the Council of the EU Donald Tusk and with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. “That’s why I want the Bulgarian parliament to come up with a declaration to present to our partners,” said Borisov.
Borisov responded sharply to Putin’s statement about Bulgarian sovereignty. “I do not accept Turkey talking to me about the sovereignty of Bulgaria,” said the prime minister. He expressed the position that the gas pipeline will be built only in compliance with European rules. “When we accepted the EU treaty, we clearly said that we comply with the European directives of this big European family. We have to focus and try to see why this project is so profitable for 400 million euros per year, to save him. Give me this opportunity on your behalf to have behind me the decision of the Bulgarian parliament or its support, to try to save him,” said Borisov.
However, the people’s representatives split 50:50 on the subject. And in the end, with a difference of one vote, they refused to even discuss a draft declaration to hand over to the prime minister. BSP, DPS and Ataka, as well as BDC, ABV and two from the Patriotic Front voted “for”.
Borisov also indicated that in Brussels he will insist on finding out if and how Greece intends to build the gas pipeline if it passes through Turkey, and whether the third energy package will be respected, because of which the EC started criminal proceedings against Bulgaria. According to him, Bulgaria would lose more than 100 million euros per year from the transit of gas that we carry to Turkey, if “South Stream” bypasses us.
On several occasions, the Prime Minister emphasized that the decision to stop construction on the Bulgarian territory was made by his predecessor, Plamen Oresharski. Which led BSP leader Mihail Mikov to accuse the Prime Minister, appointed by the left, of having succumbed to pressure. Mikov pointed out that “South Stream” should be built, and passing the project through Turkey will not provide us with diversification, but we will lose from the fees. “Generations will not forgive us,” concluded the social leader. The co-chairman of the Patriotic Front, Valery Simeonov, spoke out against the pipeline, pointing out that the figure of 400 million euros was only stated by Putin, and it is not clear whether it is real or not. The reformist bloc declared itself in favor of construction, but on the condition that all European rules are observed, and Bulgaria has an economic benefit from it. RB charged Borisov with the task of lobbying the EU for European aid for the interconnectors with Greece, Turkey and Serbia. A similar position was taken by DPS, and ABV ardently defended the project.
We still have a chance, don’t waste it
Sergey Stanishev, President of PES
Bulgaria is threatened to lose “South Stream” for good. Once again, Russian gas will bypass us to pass through Turkey, as happened with the Blue Stream project in 1998. Again, because of a misunderstood political game. Unfortunately, for the last 20 years, Bulgaria has not implemented a single major project: Belene NPP, Burgas-Alexandroupolis, Nabucco, Block VII of the Kozloduy NPP, South Stream. Not one. All this poses a big question: does Bulgaria have a national leadership and whose interest do the Bulgarian politicians serve if they never manage to protect the national one? Hopefully, the Bulgarian Prime Minister will raise the issue of “South Stream” at his upcoming meetings in Brussels. I will do the same at a high level, because we still have a chance for Bulgaria to be accepted as a predictable partner that consistently defends its national interest. Otherwise, without “South Stream” again, all countries will find themselves in the situation of gas supply uncertainty. It is time to stop training our favorite national sport in the face of public opposition regarding the strategic projects for Bulgaria. I hope that in the struggle between Russophiles and Russophobes, the group of Bulgarians will finally become the majority in our country.
The Patriots split on the pipe
The Patriotic Front split in its opinions on South Stream. “The suspension of the project is a slap in the face for Bulgaria from a geopolitical point of view. Turkey is displacing us as the energy center of the Balkans,” announced the co-chairman and leader of VMRO Krasimir Karakachanov. Earlier, from the podium, the other co-chairman of the PF – Valeri Simeonov, who is also the leader of the NFSB, stated the exact opposite position. “Yesterday, the sun rose over Bulgaria – an unfavorable contract for Bulgaria will be terminated,” he said.
In the hall, the deputies of the Front voted colorfully – two supported the debate on the declaration, one was against it, and six abstained.
ABV: We will not be a brooch of the authorities
“ABV is deeply indignant at the improper behavior of the partners in the management”, stated the MP from Alternative for Bulgarian Revival /ABF/ Kiril Tsochev. He described the vote in the plenary hall of the National Assembly on the issue of a general declaration on the “South Stream” case as a farce and added that what happened also casts doubt on the issue of Bulgaria’s other major infrastructure projects. Tsochev emphasized that with a similar manner of work in the National Assembly and in the absence of an energy strategy, Bulgaria is becoming an energy-dependent center and added that ABV categorically continues to defend the national interest – a commitment it made to its voters. “We will not play the role of a brooch on the coat of this administration. We will have our own image and protect the national interests of society,” Tsochev pointed out.
The co-chair of ABV and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Rositsa Yanakieva, expressed hope that the non-acceptance of the declaration on the issue of “South Stream” does not close the issue of energy policy. “Whose interests have we served today in parliament by refusing to support a declaration?” she asked.
Serbia and Greece expect a turnaround
USA: Moscow backed out due to sanctions and weak ruble
Serbia and Greece signaled yesterday that they hope the South Stream project will be restarted. All parties will suffer from the refusal to build the gas pipeline, and therefore Athens hopes that the decision on the project will be reconsidered and it will be resumed. This opinion was expressed to TASS by the former Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Spyros Kouvelis, who is the president of the Association for Greek-European Business Cooperation. “I think that the cancellation of any major international projects means that all countries lose. If there is a possibility, it would be good to resume this project, as EU countries always need scarce energy resources. It is very unfortunate that in this particular case the South Stream project suffered, but we hope that this will change in the future”, pointed out Spiros Kouvelis. Meanwhile, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said that Serbia intends to discuss with Russia and the EU the rejection of the construction of South Stream. He added that the damages that the country will suffer from the suspension of the project are smaller than those that will result from the introduction of sanctions against Russia. “A cat-and-mouse game is being played between the West and the East, and we are suffering,” Nikolic said. “I seriously think we should talk to both our European and Russian partners,” he added.
Russia has given up on South Stream because of sanctions and the state of its economy, US national security adviser Susan Rice said. “The Russian economy shows a negative trend. The ruble rate has fallen by 37%, capital withdrawal is increasing, the IMF is giving unfavorable forecasts,” she said. According to Susan Rice, “South Stream” is an important project that will most likely not be realized.
EC spokesperson: We are not a party to the project
Brussels
Vladislav Punchev, representative of “Standard”
The European Commission is not a party to the agreement on the South Stream project. It is intergovernmental. The EC participates in the consultations between the parties and ensures that the project complies with European legislation. This was stated by Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokesperson for climate and energy of the EC. The European Commission has not yet received an official notification of the suspension of the project. “We still only have a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara, and we were also surprised. So far we have nothing black and white that the project has been terminated,” Itkonen said. According to her, this is not about some emotional moment, but about a very pragmatic procedure, according to which if the project is stopped and written off altogether, then the EC will make an assessment of the consequences – both for the EU and for the countries participating in it – how will a possible refusal to implement it in an internal economic plan and on the union as a whole was reflected. According to the spokeswoman, it would be appropriate to have a notification not only from Russia, but also from the management of the project company dealing with the construction of “South Stream”. Itkonen emphasized that the EC is not a party to negotiations “between, for example, Russia, Gazprom and Bulgaria”. Itkonen specified that member countries conclude bilateral agreements and have obligations under these agreements, but they are also obliged to comply with European legislation. European Commissioner Shevkovic has invited the energy ministers of 8 member countries related to “South Stream” to participate in the meeting on December 9 in Brussels, which in no way can be called extreme and extraordinary, but part of the dialogue between the EC and Moscow.
Plevneliev: EC to decide
The European Commission should have a leading role regarding the future of the South Stream project. This was stated by President Rosen Plevneliev at a working meeting with the ambassadors of EU member states. The head of state emphasized that the accelerated construction of gas interconnector connections with neighboring countries is of particular importance for guaranteeing the energy security of our country.
Bulgaria cannot in any way be blamed for “South Stream”, commented Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov. “Bulgaria has clearly said that it wants the gas pipeline to be built according to European rules and, according to Bulgarian legislation, to be economically profitable. If the project is terminated, it will be done unilaterally by Russia,” commented Mitov in Brussels. He learned about Vladimir Putin’s decision from the media and the country was not notified through the usual diplomatic channels. “If there is goodwill, you use diplomatic channels. The other day I met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, this issue was not mentioned. I am extremely surprised,” said Mitov, quoted by BTA. He announced that our country will use diplomatic channels to clarify the situation and stated again that “Bulgaria is a sovereign state that protects its interests and works according to the established rules”.
Borisov with an ultimatum for the contract, he is waiting for it until Friday
When and how much will Bulgaria earn from “South Stream”? There is no such figure! Prime Minister Boyko Borisov pointed out in the National Assembly. He pointed out that South Stream has gone through stages where, including the current government, it still cannot reach agreements. “I don’t know if the previous rulers have read them. They are not given to us yet. I would ask the parliament to order us, if necessary, to take them by force so that I can inform you what is written in these contracts. Because no one is read a number,” Borissov told the deputies. The agreements in question are located in the “Bulgarian Energy Holding”, but they represent classified information, explained later the Minister of Energy in the Oresharski cabinet, Dragomir Stoynev. And indicated that he had read the contracts.
Borissov threatened to take the agreements “with all the powers” he has if they are not given to him by Friday.
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