The Bulgarian Economy and Energy Ministry has suspended all work on carrying out the South Stream gas pipeline project until the pipeline is brought into compliance with European law, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.
According to an official statement published on the ministry’s site,
in a letter to Bulgaria’s energy holding, Minister of Economy and Energy
Vasil Shtonov ordered that all activities to carry out the South Stream
project, including the signing of contracts, must stop. In addition,
the holding must work with the European Commission in bringing the
project into full compliance with European law.
The main problem European officials see with the South Stream
project, according to EU regulations, is that the energy supplier –
Russia’s Gazprom – does not have the right to control access to the
pipeline.
