Bulgaria's prime minister has halted the construction of the Bulgarian section of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, a joint project of Russia, Bulgaria and Greece, citing ecological reasons.
In 2007, Russia, Greece and Bulgaria signed a contract on the joint construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline to bypass the busy Black Sea. But the construction was delayed after Bulgaria formed a new cabinet headed by Boyko Borisov, who has made contradictory statements on energy projects with Russia.
Greece approved the trilateral energy project.
In an interview to the Bulgarian 24 Chasa daily Borisov said that the pipeline could cause an oil spill threat and damage the unique flora and fauna of the EU-monitored Natura 2000 natural reserve.
The pipeline project should be improved in terms of ecology, Borisov said during talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
On Saturday, the premiers of both countries signed a deal on establishing a joint venture on the Bulgarian section of the South Stream pipeline.
MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti)
