South Stream Can Be Built, Says EC President Juncker

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that the South Stream can be built, adding that Sofia and Brussels can find a solution to the current problems. 

Juncker said issues related to the South Stream project “are not insurmountable."

In his press conference with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, Junker said that Brussels will support Sofia in its interests.

"There are a lot of people against the suspension of this project,” commented Borisov, who had campaigned against the project in recent elections.

Given the importance attached to the project by Bulgaria, the President of the European Commission announced that the Brussels will take an active role to overcome the current hurdles.

‘As regards South Stream, the EU and Bulgaria are working together to solve the outstanding legal issues. They are not insurmountable. We should do what is best for Bulgaria and best for Europe. Boyko and Jean-Claude will find a solution together’ reads a note released by the European Commission. 

In his speech in Brussels, Juncker said that the EU will ensure that electricity and gas “interconnectors are a key element … of the 315 billion EUR we want to trigger.’