Russia, Bulgaria to continue gas talks Saturday
17. July 2010. | 11:13
Source: Sofia News Agency
Talks on the prices of Russian gas to Bulgaria and the future joint South Stream gas pipeline project will continue Saturday in the Euxinograd state residence near Bulgaria's city of Varna.
Talks on the prices of Russian gas to Bulgaria and the future joint South Stream gas pipeline project will continue Saturday in the Euxinograd state residence near Bulgaria's city of Varna.
A Russian delegation headed by energy minister Sergey Shmatko and including representatives of Russian gas giants Gazprom and Gazpromexport are in Bulgaria to negotiate details on both issues.
Friday Bulgarian energy minister Traicho Traikov reported on little progress in the talks, saying nevertheless they are progressing in a constructive manner.
The two parties have agreed that South Stream should be executed by creating a joint company, but have yet to decide on exact parameters of so-called “road map” for the stages and deadlines of execution of the project.
It is yet unclear whether the Bulgarian side will achieve a coveted lowering of the prices of Russian gas for the country.
It is also unclear whether Bulgaria has made the lowering of prices a condition for signing the South Stream road map.
The commitment of the Bulgarian side was cast in doubt after negative comments on the part of PM Boyko Borisov end of June, but Bulgaria's stance was considerably more favorable during talks held in Sofia last week.
Friday Russian information agency RIA Novosti reported that Irina Essipova, adviser to Russian energy minister Shmatko, also stated talks are set to go on Saturday, saying that the main topic under discussion will be the “road map” for development of the technical and economic assessment of South Stream.
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