"I have completed my task within a year and have set the "South Stream" project to a new level. Nobody has no longer questioned the project "South Stream" implementation and the need for the "South Stream" project. Due to may efforts, there is a "for" project execution position within the EU consolidated by energy ministers of the countries through which the route passes - Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy. We will reconfirm this position during the Energy Council in Luxembourg at the end of the week. The EU Commissioner Oettinger, through this common position, was engaged to negotiate with the Russian side not whether but how the project to be executed. It was the effective move - a common position "for" the "South Stream" and its stand up through the EC. Private efforts only made on behalf of single countries would not be sufficient. As far as there is information in China, the USA officials say "less Russian participation in the project" and see the problem only in the context of the contractor. Meanwhile, the public opinion in Bulgaria is strongly for the project - 64% of Bulgarians have approved South Stream.
If we see the situation strategically without emotions - the project "South Stream" seems rather irreversible, which is important for both Europe and Bulgaria. Currently, disputes are focused on the matter how exactly to implement this European project. I am confident that they will find their solution, including the wider political context.
This also relates to the Bulgarian part of the route where the issues are rather legal ones currently being under consideration. European experts will be in Sofia at the end of the week as to discuss the legislative changes to the marine part. The initial legal arguments of the Bulgarian side have been already prepared in response to the letter from the European Commission concerning the tender, the Intergovernmental Agreement and the status of "South Stream" company.
I see no discrepancy with the view expressed by the Prime Minister - we really are actively working to close the open issues with the EC, since we have not abandoned the project. When I arrive in Bulgaria, we will have a detailed conversation to become aware of the subject, especially in a view of the forthcoming Energy Council in Brussels."
I was the first one who has asked for a consensus among political parties on the topic "Energy" and the ongoing strategic projects as to achieve sustainability even in further governments. The question is in their readiness to hold this dialogue impartially without political ambitions.