Focus News
Information Agency Focus
January 17, 2008

If South Stream passes Bulgaria, Russia would establish geopolitical
presence on the Balkans: rightist
Sofia. The Democrats for Strong Bulgaria /DSB/ protest against the
visit of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, first of all because of
the non-equal economic relations between Russia and Bulgaria. This
inequality is present since the early 90ties. Bulgaria is turning into a
hard currency donor for Russia, and there is some hostile policy against
Bulgaria’s import. Our next argument is the energy dependence of the
country – over 90% of the energy import comes from Russia and thus
Bulgaria finds itself in a state of dependence. Thus, in this state of
instability, Bulgaria is not interested in developing economic projects
that strengthen the import from Russia, as this turn Bulgaria into
something like an economic satellite. This is what DSB leader Ivan
Kostov said in the Koritarov LIVE show on Nova TV. If the South Stream
gas pipeline passes through Bulgaria, then Russia, which put Serbia in
energy dependence, we will establish the backbone of Russian
infrastructure in the Balkans. Russia will establish itself some
geopolitical presence in the Balkans. That is why the South Stream
project meets with resistance in the European energy strategy, Kostov
said.