On the occasion of press releases informing that the Bulgarian Energy Holding is preparing a decision to sign an agreement with Gazprom to take out a one-billion loan to finance the Bulgarian participation in the South Stream project, the Head of State expresses his surprise and indignation with the government’s ongoing activities on this project, despite the fact that on 8 June 2014 Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski assumed the commitment in public to temporarily suspend the activities related to the project.

The Head of State reminds that on 2 June 2014 the European Commission announced that an infringement procedure is launched against Bulgaria for violating the rules for the functioning of the European internal market and competition. Non-compliance with the European legislation may lead to imposing sanctions against Bulgaria, which will be a burden to every Bulgarian citizen.

The Head of State calls on for stopping all activities related to the implementation of the project until it is brought in line with the European legislation.

President Plevneliev recalls the position he adopted in support of the implementation of the South Stream project but only if the community legislation is strictly observed.