Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Belgrade that all plans for the South Stream realization remained in effect. After talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic Lavrov said that all plans for this project realization remained in force because it was the only system solution for the gas supply of the South Eastern Europe.
“We have confirmed all our agreements and contracts as regards the South Stream, as well as the necessity of the implementation of this major project because at this moment this project is the only one in securing the gas for the South Eastern Europe”, said the Russian minister at a press conference.
Responding to questions, he said he believed that stopping work on the South Stream in Bulgaria was temporary.
“All decisions remain in effect as regards the work, there is no change of plans”, said Lavrov.
Dacic said that Serbia’s interest was to continue all economic projects that have been initiated.
“Our national and state interest is to build South Stream, that NIS be the best company in the region, to successfully complete the program of our railways revitalization, and other new investment programs”, he said.
Responding to a question about the pipeline from Serbia to Bulgaria, he explained that it would be only the interconnection between Nis and Sofia, and it was completely open design, which still did not start.
Regarding the South Stream Dacic has commented that he did not understand why it would not be constructed the South one, as in Europe already existed the Nord Stream.
Asked whether there was any word on a possible reduction in the price of Russian gas for Serbia, Lavrov said that this was not a topic in the domain of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the price was reconciled within the framework of commercial contracts.