Russian Minister: South Stream Gas Pipeline Has Not Been Suspended

The South Stream gas pipeline project has not been suspended and is being implemented despite the complications, according to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Novak, as cited by RIA Novosti, assured journalists Thursday that the project had not been halted, adding that the intergovernmental agreements were still in force.

He admitted, however, that there were problems related to the fact that the working group of the European Commission had stopped its activities aimed at the creation of a mechanism for the exploitation of the gas conduit.

Novak expressed hopes that the new EC panel would continue the work on the project.

Russia has signed intergovernmental agreements with Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Slovenia, Austria and Croatia on the construction of the pipeline's onshore sections.

Bulgaria suspended work on the South Stream gas pipeline project in August 2014 over concerns of clashes with requirements of the European Commission.