Bulgaria Challenges Russia on Energy Issues

Bulgaria's economy and energy minister, Delyan Dobrev, announced Oct. 22 that Sofia would begin construction on the Turkey-Bulgaria natural gas interconnector in early 2013 as part of the development of the EU-backed Nabucco West pipeline project. The announcement followed a increase in tensions between Bulgaria and Russia over issues surrounding the construction of the competing, Russia-backed South Stream pipeline project and over Bulgaria's Belene nuclear power plant.

Strapped for time and with few alternative routes for the South Stream pipeline, Moscow has very little leverage in its dealings with Sofia. If Russia is to remain on schedule for the completion of one of its key infrastructure projects to supply the European market, it will have to offer limited concessions to Bulgaria.