The project of construction of the South Stream gas pipeline through the Black Sea has not been suspended , it will be implemented, despite the difficulties, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told journalists in Kaliningrad.
“The project has not been suspended, the intergovernmental agreements, which have been signed, are still effective. The European Commission working group has suspended work on the mechanisms of the gas pipeline operation and we hope that we will resume this work after formation of a new composition of the European Commission and appointment of a new leader,” Novak said.
The European Commission tries to block the project, claiming that it does not correspond to the Third Energy Package banning gas producing companies from owning the pipelines in the EU. In August 2014 Bulgarian Minister of Energy and Economy Vasil Shtonov has instructed the Bulgarian energy holding to suspend the gas pipeline construction on the territory of the country for its failure to meet the European Commission’s requirements.
Miguel Arias Canete, candidate to the position of European Commission Commissar or Climate and Energy, said on Thursday that he is not opposed to the South Stream gas pipeline, but the project must meet the EU standards.
