Bulgaria is building the Balkan Stream - a branch of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline through Bulgaria to Serbia - as fast as possible, the delay in the implementation of the project was due to competitive procedures, the gas pipeline should be built before the end of next year, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said.
"Anyone is entitled to look for alternative routes, we are looking for alternative diversification,” Borisov said.
"The construction of the gas pipeline continues at an average speed of five kilometers a day, and its start was delayed due to mandatory procedures," the PM explained.
He expressed hope that President of Russia Vladimir Putin will accept his invitation to visit Bulgaria next year and "will be able to personally see our work."
"I hope that by the end of next year the pipeline will be operational," TASS cited Borisov as saying.
Earlier, Putin said that the Bulgarian side deliberately delays the implementation of the continuation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline on its territory. He said that in the event that Bulgaria refuses the project, Russia can find other options for gas supplies to southern Europe.
