Bulgaria Interested in Turkish Stream, Russian Official Says

Bulgaria is "also interested" in the realization of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily A. Nebenzya has said.

In an interview with Russian news agency Interfax published on the website of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow [RU], he has explained that "many countries in Southern Europe" are interested in the project.

After mentioning a few of them (Hungary, Macedonia and Greece, which will also host a leg of the new pipeline), Nebenzya is asked by the reporter: "What about Bulgaria?"

"Bulgaria is also interested," he replies. "Earlier it was supposed that a gas distribution hub will be situated on its territory. But circumstances unfolded in a  way that we were led by the nose about South Stream for so much time that it turned impossible. Now Bulgaria can receive gas via the hub which it being planned at the border of Turkey with Greece."

Russia ditched the South Stream gas pipeline project, which would have carried gas via Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary to Austria and Italy, citing Sofia's reluctance to unblock construction permits.