/ world today news/ The European Commission (EC) is ready to discuss concessions for “South Stream”, but only within the framework of the current energy legislation. This was stated today by Marlene Holzner, spokeswoman for the European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger.
She made the clarification after the readiness for talks with Russia on the subject announced a day ago was interpreted by various media and politicians as a softening of the European Commission’s position.
“Our position on “South Stream” has not changed. We have always said that if the Russian side asks for an exception to the current European legislation in the field of energy, we can talk about it. At this stage we have not received a formal request, but we are ready to discuss it if it is submitted,” Holzner said.
Current legislation refers to the Third Energy Package, which requires that the producer and the supplier are not the same company.
Holzner reminded that the European Commission is still examining the legal problems arising from contradictions with European legislation in the bilateral agreements of the countries participating in the project and Russia.
The spokeswoman did not rule out this issue being raised at the upcoming EU-Ukraine-Russia meeting on Russian gas on September 26.
Earlier today, the Minister of Economy, Vasil Stonov, announced that Bulgaria’s interest in South Stream is purely commercial, and that is why it will negotiate with Gazprom for maximum transit fees for the transfer of raw materials through the gas pipeline.
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