Novinite: Putin Says Russia 'Could Build Bulgaria Offshoot of Turkish Stream'

Russia might direct a new pipe to Bulgaria functioning as a ramification of its planned gas pipeline to Turkey, President Vladimir Putin has hinted. Speaking at a press conference after his meeting with Hungarian officials on Tuesday, he added such a project might be carried out if it could rely on EU funding.

He added Russia was ready to consider, together with is partners, "alternatives" to South Stream, but would not renounce cooperation with Turkey on the other project and would be unable to return to South Stream in its previous form, according to TASS news agency.

Russia scrapped in December the South Stream pipeline pumping gas into Central Europe through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary, citing EU opposition and Bulgarian reluctance to issue the necessary construction permits. President Putin then said energy giant Gazprom would build a pipeline to Turkey, the so-called Turkish Stream, using most of South Stream's planned route.

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