Commissioner Georgieva: Bulgaria Should Seek EU Help over Russia Claim

Business » ENERGY | September 19, 2012, Wednesday // 21:25

Bulgaria should seek counsel from the European Commission about how to deal with Russian company Atomstroyexport's EUR 1 B claim against freezing the Belene NPP project, said Bulgarian European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.

"As a member state Bulgaria can always turn to Brussels with a request for a technical assessment of the situation, and it will not be turned down," said the EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner.

"It is only proper for Bulgaria to seek competent advice. The Commission can either act in its competences or direct the country to another source of expertise," added she.

Speaking for the Bulgarian National Radio, Georgieva explained that at any rate such a move will be of use to Bulgaria.

Last week, it was revealed that Russian state company Atomstroyexport has upped its claim at the Paris International Court of Arbitration against Bulgaria's ditching the Belene NPP project to EUR 1 M.

Senior Bulgarian statesmen, including PM Boyko Borisov, FinMin Simeon Djankov and Minister of Economy and Energy Delyan Dobrev reacted with derision and indignation at the move, saying it was sure to fail.

Atomstroyexport officials rebutted that their claim is sure to stand and even intimated that the company might have to swallow Bulgaria's national power operator, NEK, if Bulgaria has troubles to cover the claim.

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Tags: Belene NPP, Atomstroyexport, Kristalina Georgieva, Russian, Boyko Borisov, Delyan Dobrev, Simeon Djankov, European Commission, International Court of Arbitration in Paris, NEK

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