Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Experts: stop work on the “South Stream” – the continuation of the EU sanctions – Reuters

MOSCOW, Aug. 19 – RIA Novosti. Statement Bulgaria to suspend the construction of the Bulgarian section of the pipeline “South Stream” is a continuation of sanctions policy of the European Union with regard to Russia, according to experts interviewed by RIA Novosti.

The Minister of Economy and Energy of Bulgaria Vasil SHTON instructed Bulgarian Energy Holding to suspend all work on the construction of the gas pipeline “South Stream”, the ministry said on its website. The reason for the Minister’s decision was that the project does not meet the requirements of the European Commission. It is reported that all the conclusions of contracts by the “South Stream” will be frozen until such time as the project begins to meet the requirements.



The EU is in a roundabout way

According to a senior researcher of the Institute of Slavic Studies Peter Iskenderova, “the statement of Bulgaria is in line with the general deterioration of relations between the EU and Russia, which is currently taking place.” “Given the degree of politicization of this issue on the part of Brussels, it was hard to expect anything else. In this case, the European Union, without risking to enter full-scale sanctions on energy cooperation with Russia, acting in a roundabout way, that is putting pressure on individual countries, which the Russian partners. In the case of Bulgaria make it easier than, say, with Serbia, because Bulgaria is a member of the European Union “, – the expert believes.

On the other hand, said Iskander,” is currently in Bulgaria is rather complicated internal political situation in the horizon parliamentary elections. ” “In this situation, many political forces in Bulgaria are trying to play the Russian card, that is to play into the hands of the electorate, who believes that Bulgaria should take a tougher stance against Russia, and follow in the footsteps of Brussels,” – said the expert.

For its part, the teacher of the Center for Euro-Atlantic security MGIMO Julia Kudryasheva believes that Bulgaria has repeatedly stated about the freezing of the project, thus expressing solidarity with the European Union in respect of the third energy package, which aims to combat the monopolization of suppliers and diversification. However, in this case we say that this decision is part of the sanctions policy of the EU.

“This is in line with sanctions, which takes West against us because already heard statements by European experts, that in connection with sanctions First of all you have to wait threats implementation of the project “South Stream” because “South Stream” is a rival project “Southern Gas Corridor”, who wants to hold the European Union “, – said Kudryasheva.

According to her, the EU looking for ways to punish Russia, and exports of energy resources is the most important item replenishment of the Russian budget. However, the European Union will have to be flexible on the issue of implementation of the project “South Stream”.

“The European Union is aware of its vulnerability, because their own projects did not get to bring to life, and the Ukrainian crisis increases the risk of the fuel crisis of the coming winter,” – said the expert.

The need for negotiations

According Iskanderova, “Bulgaria is now not an independent player in the energy field and, therefore, the future prospects of its participation in the project” South Stream “will depend on the addition, there will come to some agreements, Brussels and Moscow “.

The expert believes that” if we talk about the project, Russia has a replacement of Bulgaria in the form of Romania. ” He pointed out that the Romanian leadership takes a more independent position on several issues. “The leader of Romania rather complex personal relationships with the leaders of the European Union, which opens up to Russia certain room for maneuver. Thus, Bulgaria, following in the footsteps of Brussels and trying to block the work of the project” South Stream “can be alone, that is, will be deprived of this project, “- said a senior fellow at the Institute of Slavic Studies.

In this case, he noted that” it will all depend on how will the relations between Brussels and Moscow. ” “If the EU will prevail over a reasonable point of view in favor of cooperation, especially given the approach of winter, the negotiations on the works of the Bulgarian section can be unfrozen,” – says Iskander.

For its part, Kudryasheva also believes that to resolve this situation, it is necessary to try to resolve the contentious issues in the negotiation process.

“All will go in line with the treaty, because it is not the first time this situation occurs. It will be necessary to implement the whole complex energy diplomacy. This settlement of relations with European Commission on the third energy flow. Gazprom And maybe really have to go to some diversification, allow European companies to participate in the pipes, which are held in the framework of the project “- said Kudryasheva.

In this case, the Commission may continue to obstruct Russia, but only in order to negotiate the best terms, the expert said.

“The Commission will fix some obstacles to negotiate better terms. They understand that the need for this project. No matter how they want to push their own projects – “Southern Gas Corridor” or “Nabucco” – as long as they are not realizable, because they have nothing to fill it. As for the “South Stream”, the content of negotiated, it’s only for the completion of the project, “- said Kudryasheva.

” Gazprom “is constructing a gas pipeline across the Black Sea to the countries of Southern and Central Europe in order to diversify the routes natural gas export. Its construction started on December 7, 2012 near Anapa. First gas to Europe through the new pipeline will be supplied at the end of 2015, to bring it to the final destination in Austria – at the end of 2016, and to bring the pipeline at full capacity – 63 billion cubic meters – in 2018.

the EC is trying to block the project, arguing that it does not conform to the Third Energy Package, which prohibits companies producing gas, own main pipelines in the EU. Russia began proceedings in the WTO application of the rules of this law.

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