Bulgaria Still Pinning Hopes on Gas Hub Project with Russia

Bulgaria is seeking to reach a deal with Russia on a project that would lead to the construction of a natural gas hub on its territory, Bulgaria's Ambassador to Moscow has said.
 
"Let us give our experts an opportunity to do their job. I am an optimist and I am convinced that everything [a deal on the construction of the hub] will be [signed]," RIA Novosti quotes Ambassador Boyko Kotzev as saying.

Kotzev added that Sofia and Moscow would look for a solution to the problems stemming from the demise of South Stream, a gas pipeline project which was designed to carry gas to Central Europe via Bulgaria but which Russia abandoned in December.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that all people [on whom the issue depends  are working seriously," he made clear.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country was ending South Stream due to EU opposition to the project and Bulgaria's subsequent reluctance to issue construction permits for its infrastructure.

Ever since, Bulgaria has hoped it would be able to put forward a gas hub project to both the European Commission and Russia. In June, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova met Russian counterpart Alexander Novak on the sidelines of major economic forum in Saint Petersburg to re-table to idea.

Novak, however, was not inclined to give a definitive answer, only stressing he had been made familiar with the proposal.  

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