Eco organizations have welcomed recent Prime Minister’s statements (later disproved) that Bulgaria had quit the Russian-sponsored Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

The coalition of environmental and civil society NGOs “For the Nature” have formally congratulated the Bulgarian Prime Minister on his position against the construction of the pipeline.

Last Friday, Borisov’s statements led everybody to believe that Bulgaria was formally quitting the joint project with Russia and Greece. Subsequently, the Prime Minister clarified that there had been no formal decision of the Cabinet to withdraw, and that a final decision on the fate of the project will be made only after the completion of an internationally sanctioned environmental assessment.

Borisov did criticize the planned Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline for its potentially destructive environmental effect likening it to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and for its lack of economic feasibility and profitability.

Even though he made it clear the project was still on the table, the environmentalists went ahead with their salutes.

“Bulgaria needs politicians who clearly defend its national interests and we expected that in the future you will be firm against the contracts that are unprofitable and environmentally dangerous for Bulgaria,” states the “For the Nature” Coalition, which insists that the oil pipeline project be terminated.

It is said to be a serious threat to the environment of Bulgaria’s Southern Black Sea coast and the Stranzha Mountain, including several zones from the NATURA 2000 network of protected areas.

The eco activists believe that the very technology for the unloading of the tankers at the entrance of the pipe of the Gulf of Burgas is dangerous, and potential spills would destroy irreversibly the local nature. They have pointed out that the local municipalities have declared themselves against the pipeline.