Bulgaria is undermining the Nabucco project by joining Russia’s South Stream, official says

Saryusz-Wolski, who proposed that EU’s High Representative for Energy Policy position be created, believes the two Russian projects, North Stream and South Stream, resemble “two claws” around Europe.

North Stream would connect Russia and Germany, through the Baltic Sea. South Stream should traverse the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Greece and Southern Italy. Nabucco would transport gas from the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East to Europe. The project's goal is to diversify the European Union's power supply sources to cut dependency to Russia.

Saryusz-Wolski noted in the race between South Stream and Nabucco, the winner will be the project for which construction works will start first, as this will make the other one useless.

The EP official voiced disappointment over Bulgaria’s move of joining the South Stream project, instead of rallying to EU’s energy policy. Saryusz-Wolski also criticized Russia for establishing the price of gas depending on its relations with the country importing it.

Bulgaria, Serbia and Italy joined the South Stream project.

The official said there is no external energy policy coordinated by EU at the moment and its members are currently buying gas from Russia or Gazprom. Yet, the legal basis for a common energy policy is part of the new EU treaty, which was not ratified.

Saryusz-Wolski emphasized the fact that many EU members are clinching deals with Russia regarding gas projects and such a policy comes against EU’s entire energy strategy.

The EP official explained EU’s Nabucco is still in the project phase yet if there is enough political will and investments, the project could begin.

Saryusz-Wolski said the Romanian MEPs are supportive of the Nabucco project, especially as all EU members could benefit from a common EU power strategy.

He explained that 50 percent of the shares in Baumgarten, the terminal where Nabucco would end, belong to Gazprom which is part of Russia’s policy of strengthening its position against Europe.

Saryusz-Wolski noted a country like Bulgaria, which imports needed oil and gas from Russia, mulls it has no other option than to join the South Stream project. Another explanation would be that Bulgaria believes it can negotiate in more profitable terms with Russia than with the other EU members.

Saryusz-Wolski concluded all the EU members must make steps towards a single energy policy, no matter how difficult it will be.


Source: NewsIn