Serbian, Bulgarian FMs: South Stream of vital importance

Serbian, Bulgarian FMs: South Stream of vital importance

“We have a common stand and shared interest, vital interest that South Stream be built, and that we arrive at the best possible solution through talks with the European Commission,” Dačić said at a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart at the Palace of Serbia.

Dačić underlined that the South Stream construction is in the interest of both countries because of energy security and stability, and pointed to the importance of having various sources and gas routes so as to avoid the situation in which, as he noted, Serbia and Bulgaria found themselves in several years ago, during the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

This project represents a crucial economic interest for Serbia, Bulgaria and all countries through which the gas pipeline will run, and this issue should not be boiled down to relations between Russia, the Balkans and the EU, Dačić said.

The costs of the South Stream construction across Serbia have been estimated at around EUR 2 billion, but at the moment Serbia would invest practically nothing in the works, and the long-term loan would be paid out thanks to tax revenues which should amount to several hundred million euros per year, depending on the quantity of gas, he noted.

“Serbia would lose a lot, if there were no South Stream, ” Dačić stressed.

Vigenin noted that South Stream was "extremely important for energy security in entire South-East Europe, and not only countries included in the project."

"We are in direct, constructive dialogue with the European Commission concerning the conditions for carrying out the project, and I hope that in the weeks to come we will get some explanations and be able to continue works in the territory of Bulgaria," the Bulgarian foreign minister said.

"Best possible"

Ivica Dačić and Kristian Vigenin agreed on Thursday that the relations between these two friendly neighbours should be the closest possible and be based on mutual interest.

Bulgaria and Serbia are good neighbors and friends who have no serious issues between them and can work together in the interest of their people, Vigenin told a joint news conference after the meeting with Dačić.

The relations between the two nations have never been so good and at such a high political level as in the past several years, he noted, adding that he believed the trend would continue.

The two ministries will hold consultations in autumn and sign agreements on friendship and good relations, he stated.

When asked if such an agreement was the requirement for Bulgaria to support Serbia's EU integration, Vigenin replied negatively, explaining that the relations between Serbia and Bulgaria were in good condition anyway and that there was no need for such requirements.

Bulgaria supports Serbia's EU integration and will continue to work with Serbia and provide expert assistance in the accession talks, he pointed out.

The two countries have good and stable relations, a long history, good economic cooperation and both want the relations to be as close and honest as possible and based on mutual interest, Dačić remarked.

It is important that Bulgaria and Serbia consult each other regularly and to have a high level of political dialogue, said Dačić, adding that he believed that to be the case.

He thinks any potential problems, like opening the border crossings or school textbooks for the Bulgarian minority in Serbia, should be addressed quickly and efficiently and prevented from turning into political problems that could disrupt the two countries' relations.

Vigenin agreed that the textbook issue should not be a political one and said he hoped it would be settled soon.

Serbia and Bulgaria have common interests in politics, economy, energy and other areas, Dačić noted, listing the South Stream gas pipeline, and Corridor 10 as some of them.

An agreement on gas links between Nis and Sofia was signed independently of the South Stream project and it will be implemented, Dačić pointed out.

Vigenin agreed that the construction of gas and transport infrastructure was very important for economic development and for attracting investors to both countries.