Itar-Tass: EU powers not enough to delay South Stream construction
The European Commission (EC) lacks enough powers to delay the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline, Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's Ambassador to the EU, told ITAR-TASS in an exclusive interview. He was commenting on the commission's launch of procedures against member-state Bulgaria, accused by Brussels of failing to observe European norms in holding a tender for South Stream's construction.
“The European Commission does not have enough power to do it. But that is not the point. The commission does not have any reason to do it. The violations must be proved for the reasons to appear. The presumption of innocence of the participants of the tender in Bulgaria hasn't been annulled,” Chizhov said.
“I do not know all the details of the tender and how the consortium of Russia and Bulgaria took part in it, but I am sure that in legal terms the participation was adjusted perfectly. The project is too serious,” he added.