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23 January 2008
GPPi Fellow comments on the recent Russian-Bulgarian energy deal
Andreas Goldthau, a GPPi Fellow, was interviewed by Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik on the recent Russian-Bulgarian energy deal on the South Stream gas pipeline.
The energy deal will transform Bulgaria’s position into a key link in the European energy chain and is expected to bring Bulgaria an estimated $2 billion a year. The pipeline would create a major setback to the EU’s hopes of reducing dependence on Russia as an energy source. It also undermines the Nabucco pipeline backed by the U.S.
Andreas Goldthau remarked, “the recent Russian-Bulgarian energy deals proves once again that by following individual national interests, European member states generate overall suboptimal results regarding European energy security. The South Stream pipeline is a blow to alternative supply routes in natural gas not controlled by Russia. If the EU wants Nabucco, however, it has to do something for it. The South Stream pipeline has been pending for more than 10 years, enough time for the Europeans to put an alternative in place.”
To read the full text of the interview (in Bulgarian), click here.
For more information please contact Andreas Goldthau.