Bulgaria's prime minister has denied reports that bring into question the Moscow-Sofia relationship after he wrote off two projects, in which Russia was supposed to play a key role.

“We have pragmatic, good ties with Russia, just like all the other countries from the European Union,” Boyko Borisov said on Tuesday.

He was firm that Bulgaria is following steadily its Euro-Atlantic course, on which it embarked after acceding to the European Union and NATO.

“This is the first time that we are heading in the right direction,” Borisov stressed.

The statement came days after Borisov unexpectedly said that Bulgaria was “giving up” on Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project decision, and that construction on the planned Belene nuclear power plant had been suspended.

In a dramatic twist that left all of Europe confused, Borisov retracted his statement on the Burgas-Alexandroupolis project hours later, saying that “the Bulgarian government hasn’t made a final decision regarding the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.”

“The people in Burgas does not want this project. The international environment assessment will not be favorable, it is not profitable and we don't have money for it,” Borisov said on Tuesday.

In his words the same arguments apply to the Belene project, which is shrouded in mystery as to the investments needed, the prices and clients of the electricity that it will produce.

“We should know the answers to these questions. Otherwise we will look like losers, who don't know what they are giving their money for,” he added.

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