Bulgaria's government have gathered for a special session over the South Stream gas pipeline project on the second day of the official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Sofia.
The costly project, which would eventually turn Bulgaria into a gateway for the Russian natural gas towards Western Europe, was expected to top the discussions during Putin's stay.
On Thursday, Bulgaria's foreign minister Ivaylo Kalfin announced that there is no firm agreement yet on the project.
South Stream would run under the Black Sea to Bulgaria, and could split off through Hungary towards Austria, south to Greece and on to Italy, or west to Serbia.
According to experts, the current visit of Putin to Sofia with its agenda and timing has sent out a strong message of Moscow's interest in Bulgaria and its energy sector.
Critics see the trip as Russia's effort to expand its political and economic influence inside the European Union.