Russian first deputy PM to discuss pipeline, NPP projects in Bulgaria

Forum Contacts		RUSSIAN

RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED July 06, 2010

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov will visit Bulgaria on Tuesday to discuss the uncertain future of two joint energy projects - the South Stream gas pipeline and the nuclear power plant construction in Belene.

Zubkov's visit to Bulgaria for detailed negotiations on the issues was agreed by the premiers of the two states last Friday.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced shortly after taking office last summer that his country suspends several energy projects with Russia.

This June he announced his country's withdrawal from the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project with Russia and Greece and froze the construction of the Belene NPP, citing a lack of investment for the nuclear power plant and environmental concerns for the pipeline.

Later, Borisov said he was misunderstood by media and an assessment on the environmental impact of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline would decide whether the project goes ahead.

Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom said in mid-June it was likely to replace Bulgaria with Romania in the South Stream pipeline network since Bulgaria halted the other two projects.

Topics: East Europe, Bulgaria, NPP Belene, Russia

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