EU Working Against Southern Countries’ Interest, Says Gazprom

The European Union is working against the interest of southern EU member states, Sergey Kupriyanov, Gazprom’s spokesman, said on Tuesday. According to the Russian official, the EU’s attempt to slow down the South Stream project is financially groundless, but simply due to the political arm-wrestling between Brussels and Moscow.  

“Yet the European Commission is trying to delay the project on the basis of strictly political considerations. So far, the EU seems ready to shoot itself in the foot by blocking a project that will increase its energy security and help Europe satisfy increasing energy import needs, at no cost to European taxpayers,” said Kupriyanov in a letter to the Financial Times, criticising an article published by the British newspaper stating that the future of the South Stream project is “murky.” 

According to Kupriyanov, the project makes complete sense and it would decrease uncertainties for Southern EU member states, which remain more dependent on Ukraine's political and social stability. 

“Contrary to northern EU member states, which benefit from increased security of supply via Nord Stream, south-eastern European countries still don't have an alternative gas supply route. The cost of upgrading the Ukrainian transit system is estimated to be as much as $19.5bn, and this will still not eliminate the transit risk.”

The Gazprom official also confirmed Gazprom’s intentions to move on with its plans. 

Last month, Gazprom confirmed that South Stream Bulgaria suspended orders and contracts for the South Stream gas pipeline construction in the country. At the same time, a Russian newspaper voiced the possibility of a plan B for the project, which could pass through Greece and Turkey, dropping Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia.