Hungarian min: S Stream talks may be resumed after Bulgaria polls

MOSCOW, Feb 27 (PRIME) – Talking about the restart of the South Stream natural gas pipeline project is possible after Bulgarian parliamentary elections scheduled for March 26, and Hungary is interested in the project, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told PRIME on Monday.

“I think that it is reasonable to wait for elections in the country and see what position will be taken. The resurrection of this project is fully within interests of Hungary, and not only Hungary, but of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria itself. The Western Balkan states and countries of Central Europe – we all are interested in the project,” he said.

The rejection of the South Stream was “an example of double standards,” he said. “The Nord Stream is going on, while it differs from the South Stream only in the list of European companies that participate in the project,” he said.

During the latest visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban raised the question and said that the country is still interested in the project, he added.

On February 15, Bulgarian daily Dnevnik reported citing Russian trade attache to Bulgaria Igor Ilingin said that the South Stream may still be implemented, but Moscow needs rock-solid guarantees from Sofia in order to return to the project.

Russia cancelled building the South Stream pipeline in December 2014 amid protests by the European authorities.

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