Focus: Bulgaria is subjected to a special EC procedure over South Stream gas pipeline project

Bulgaria is subjected to a special procedure by the European Commission over South Stream gas pipeline project, BNR reported.

It is not a punitive procedure, but is rather assisting one and its results will show the possible future measures by the EU Commission. The European Commission announced that the reason for triggering the procedure is intended by the Bulgarian government amendments to the Energy Act and the fact that attempts for shifting gas pipeline or part of it out of the range of the European energy legislation poses serious problem.

The procedure called EUpilot is a guiding procedure aimed at solving the issues related to the European legislation implementation and improving communication between the country and the EU Commission.

An official letter announcing the launch of the procedure was sent to the Bulgarian authorities in mid-April. The procedure provides for 10-week period for respond and more 10 weeks on which the EU Commission services to decide how to deal with the casus.

Source: FOCUS