Incoming EU Energy Commissioner Prefers Southern Gas Corridor over South Stream

EU should back the Southern Gas Corridor, a project rivaling the South Stream gas pipeline, as a means to provide security of energy supplies, Slovakia's EU Commissioner designate Maroš Šefčovič has said.

Šefčovič , who is tipped to become the EU Commission Vice President for Energy Union, told the jury at the EU Parliament at his hearing on Monday evening that Brussels' decision to halt South Stream was well-grounded.

"We cannot accept such as large-scale project to be implemented on the EU's territory by a company with does not wish to hold on to the legislation," Šefčovič was quoted by public broadcaster BNR as saying.

He also accused Russia of using gas supplies as a weapon and described its behavior as unacceptable.

Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom has refused to accept the implementation of the EU's Third Energy Package with regard to South Stream.

EU rules would allow third-party access to the pipeline, since the pipe owners cannot have a monopoly on gas transportation.

At the same time Moscow insists supplies through South Stream should be made in accordance with the long-term contracts for gas supplies Russia has with a number of member states.

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