Russia officially voiced its support for Bulgaria’s demand for 33% participation in the construction of the trans-Balkan oil pipeline Burgas –Alexandroupolis, Deputy Prime Minister Kostadin Paskalev said. Greece insisted on a 20% of Bulgarian participation in the trilateral project, that would carry Russian and Caspian oil to Greece, claiming that Bulgaria was unable to provide the funding. According to Minister Paskalev Russia considers Bulgaria’s proposal reasonable, but still has requested more information. Minister Paskalev expressed his conviction that Bulgaria, Russia and Greece will reach an agreement on the stakes distribution and set up a joint venture to build the pipeline. The project will also be on top of the agenda of the Athens meetings of Deputy Regional Minister Hassan Hassan with Greek officials. The talks come after the visit of Greek Development Minister Apostolos Tsohatzopoulos in Sofia, who expressed support for equal stakes in the joint venture. The cost of Burgas-Alexandroupolis project is estimated at some EUR 680-700 M. Refunds from investments in the project are expected in seven or ten years. The project has been in deadlock for nearly seven years mainly because Bulgaria and Greece failed to agree over their stakes in the future consortium to manage the 256-km (159-mile) underground pipeline carrying Russian oil.