Bulgaria "won't be bargaining chip," says PM

Bulgaria "won't be bargaining chip," says PM

BRUSSELS -- Bulgaria will not allow to be used as a bargaining chip in the relations between Russia and the West, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has said.

Bulgaria's BTA agency reported that he on Wednesday evening in Brussels met with Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament Elmar Brok.

The main topic of the talks was "the situation" related to the South Stream gas pipeline project.

Borisov said that Bulgaria "always supported the implementation of the gas pipeline but only provided that all requirements of the European and Bulgarian legislation are strictly complied with."

"I expect the EU leaders to protect the interests of Bulgaria too in the talks between Russia and the EU," Borissov said.

While in Brussels he is also meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz.

Borisov earlier told Bulgarian reported that "the question of (joining) the Schengen Area should be returned on the agenda," and "voiced a hope to receive a clearer position from the European Commission."

He "expressed indignation at a recent statement of an EC spokesperson that the EC was only monitoring the South Stream project," and said he "read a document whereby Bulgaria delegates all rights for this project to the EC."

The agency quoted Borisov as saying it was "a totally different matter whether Bulgaria is entitled to compensation because of the scrapping of the project or if this is laid down in the agreement."

"I want from the EC yes/no answers to the questions, what can be done and what not...