President Plevneliev: "Bulgaria Keeps on Depending on One Pipe, One Supplier"

"Bulgaria keeps on depending on one pipe and one supplier and, as Head of State, I am firmly resolved to change this status quo," Bulgarian President Rosen 

Plevneliev said on Wednesday, adding that this is not anti-Russian policy. He made this statement within a discussion on the second day of an international conference "How to Cope with the Past Looking into the Future". It is a part of the campaign dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the democratic changes in Bulgaria. Participating in it was also visiting here Hungarian President Janos Ader.

It is not good for Gazprom to assume the role of a monopolist. It should rather use the gas not as energy weapon but as commodity, traded at market prices based on clear contracts, Plevneliev said. The issue does not depend solely on the Bulgarian Government and on Brussels but, also, on the Russian partners, which should comply with the contracts and offer competitive prices.

Bulgaria should have developed a clear position on South Stream long ago. "We are looking for diversification, including of routes. We are a worthy member of the European family and cannotact against the European rules. This does not work in favour of confidence," Plevneliev commented.