Bulgaria can negotiate with Russia and the EU for the laying of one of the pipelines of Turkish Stream through its territory, said Russian expert Konstantin Simonov, head of the Fund for National and Energy Security.

According to Simonov, the situation at present resembles the crisis in the winter of 2009 when Bulgaria stopped receiving gas from Russia through Ukraine. The pipeline to Varna would solve this problem, said Simonov.

“The Russian-Turkish inter-governmental agreement stipulates that Russia is not obliged to build a second pipeline. Bulgaria has the option of making an offer to Russia if it wants the pipeline to reach directly its shore and if Bulgaria wishes to become a transit gas centre, albeit not a big one. In order for this to take place very clear proposals must be made on this issue by both Bulgaria, and Bulgaria and the EU. Otherwise, Russia will deliver gas to Turkey and Bulgaria will have to get it from Turkey.”

The idea of the gas hub Balkan to be constructed near Varna can be implemented via the construction of one of the pipelines of the gas pipeline Turkish Stream towards Bulgaria and it must run in the direction of your border with Greece, explained the expert. The question is for this pipeline to take on some of the gas transit and, then, we can say that there will be a hub there, but not a big one, rather a small one. Russia is, theoretically speaking, ready to deliver gas to Bulgaria and, after that, other Balkan countries can take it and distribute it to Europe – this is a totally realistic option.

Turkey will not re-sell Russian gas to Europe since it is the owner, stated Simonov.

“Russia’s stance is that Turkey will not re-sell gas to Europe – same as with Ukraine. I think the EU will agree – Turkey is the owner of half of the land section and, thus, it will receive its fee but there can be no option of the re-selling of gas by Turkey to the EU.”