site.btaPM Borissov Participates in European Council Meeting

PM Borissov Participates
in European Council
Meeting


Brussels, December 18 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) -
Speaking to journalists here on Thursday upon his arrival to
take part in the European Council meeting, Prime Minister Boyko
Borissov said that everyone views seriously the problem in
Bulgaria and understands that "we are placed in a very
unfavourable situation". The Prime Minister listed the energy
dependence, the highest price of gas and the arbitration
lawsuits for hundreds of millions among the major problems.

According to Borissov, one year was wasted for South Stream.
"Unfortunately I have been a Prime Minister for just 20 days,
all of this would have been resolved if we had not been brought
down in a brutal manner," he said to a question about how the EU
views Bulgaria's actions regarding the gas pipeline project,
which was suspended by Russia.

The European People's Party carefully reviewed the options not
only about the gas hub, but also the possible renewal of the
Nabucco-West route (if the pipeline passes through Turkey),
which is absolutely possible, Borissov commented the earlier
meeting of the Centre-right European prime ministers and
presidents. The PM also said that his British counterpart David
Cameron has invited him to his residence in Brussels to discuss
these matters.

Asked whether he agrees that Russia is a strategic problem,
Borissov said that Russia has been a friend to Bulgaria for
centuries. Recalling Russia's role for Bulgaria's liberation
from Ottoman rule, Borissov said that if there currently is a
president or a prime minister in Russia, who for one reason or
another has created tension in Europe with his actions in
Ukraine and Crimea, it can be talked about him and not about
Russia as a State.

Answering a question, Borissov said that he does not expect any
new sanctions against Russia, but doubts that the existing ones
will be lifted any sooner than next June. PK/MY


/МЙ/