Balkans: Delivering gas to Bucharest through an extension of the South Stream pipeline via Bulgaria, is realistic and profitable

Talgat Kaliyev, Kazahstan’s charge d’affairs in Bucharest has stated that the proposal of his government to deliver gas to Bucharest through an extension of the South Stream pipeline via Bulgaria, is realistic and profitable. According to him, Romania’s geo-strategic position and its EU membership are key factors in Kazahstan’s strategy of expanding and consolidating its positions on Europe’s energy markets. The proposal comes after the Nabucco project, in which Romanian company Transgaz has invested tens of millions of euros, was dealt a heavy blow a couple of months ago, after Azerbaijan had announced its decision to use another conveyor for its gas exports to Italy, via Greece and Albania. Nabucco is an alternative to South Stream and it is backed by Russia.  MORE