EC explains Bulgarian infringement procedures

The European Commission has explained why Bulgaria is facing infringement procedure, and not other EU states also involved in the South Stream Gas Pipeline project, the Bulgarian newswire Novinite reported May 3.

“We started [this infringement procedure against Bulgaria] because the execution of [construction] activities is currently being assigned there, work is just about to begin and it was urgent that we react,” European Commission Spokesman Antoine Colombani said, as cited by the newswire.

Colombani added that the Commission also found irregularities of non-compliance with the EU regulations in other countries which take part o the South Stream project.

“We are expecting of [other countries involved] to conform their public procurement with European norms and if necessary, we will take action against other states as well” Colombani stated, as cited by the newswire.

Starting in Russia, the South Stream Gas Pipeline will enter the EU via Bulgaria and will continue to Austria through Serbia, Slovenia and Hungary. The South Stream is also set to have a Greek stretch that could make its way to Italy through the bottom of the Adriatic sea.

Over past few days Bulgaria has been under pressure by the EC to stop all activities surrounding the South Stream until the project meets EU requirements. Despite this, Bulgarian Minister of Economy Dragomir Stoynev said June 3 that this infringement procedure against Bulgaria is no different to similar moves from the past, and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) declared it would stick to its commitments under the South Stream deals with Russia.

Update: Bulgaria halts South Stream work following EC request