South Stream Is Evidence Bulgaria Is Not Reliable Partner - Russian Official

Bulgaria lacks coherence if one judges by its attitude to various energy projects, Russia's permanent envoy to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, has claimed.

Chizhov said Moscow was ready to continue South Stream talks with Austria, Hungary and Serbia, but due to the complicated political situation in Bulgaria the country is not considered "reliable".

Speaking for Russia 24 channel days after Russian President Vladimir Putin scrapped the South Stream pipeline project over Bulgaria's decision to freeze construction on its soil, the Russian envoy also voiced his surprise at the fact that the EU "has not expressed its gratitude" after Moscow backed its "position on stopping the project".

"I have much sympathy for Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people, but this country did not perform as a reliable partner," he argued.

Chizhov blamed Bulgaria for blocking the construction Belene NPP and Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, two projects terminated by the previous GERB-led administration.

He also praised Turkey's political behavior after Putin announced earlier this week the country would host a pipeline alternative to South Stream instead of Bulgaria.

"Turkey is behaving in a sovereign enough manner. When it comes to fulfilling one's own decisions, the country also has both the political will and the resources to carry them out... We do not forget that Turkey is a NATO member and EU accession candidate, but the Turkish leadership is still... much more self-dependent that, regrettably, the government of Bulgaria," Chizhov added.

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