Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov has reiterated his scepticism of the feasibility of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, amid strong indications that he is warmly embracing other energy projects with Russia.

The main motive Borisov pointed out for his reluctance is once again the environmental concern of the project.

Over the summer, the Bulgarian PM has been repeatedly pressing his worry that unloading tonnes of crude oil in the Burgas Bay could lead to a catastrophe similar to the Gulf of Mexico spill.

Although initially Borisov was disinterested in the other two energy projects with Russia - the South Stream gas pipeline and the Belene NPP - he has since considerably softened his stance of both, while remaining lukewarm to the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipe.

In an interview for ITAR-TASS Tuesday, Borisov reiterated he is fully backing both Belene and South Stream, but not Burgas-Alexandroupoli, given the environmental concerns.

The oil pipeline, some 280 km long, is projected to join the Bulgarian port of Burgas to the Greek port of Alexadroupoli to deliver crude oil. It is claimed that this will result in an easing-up of heavy tanker traffic passing through Turkey's Bosphorous strait. At Alexandroupoli, the oil will then be loaded onto new tankers and shipped to its destination.

Through Bulgarian territory, the pipe is projected to pass very close to the Strandzha Nature Park, a Natura 2000 protected area hosting dozens of endemic species and wild habitats.

Bulgarian PM Borisov has multiple times pre-empted the environmental impact assessment currently underway, stating that there is no possible way it can be positive.

Russia and Greece, on the other hand, have shown an extremely strong interest in actually building the pipeline and have consistently tried to press and convince Bulgaria into supporting it.