BULGARIA WILL SAY 'NO' TO RUSSIA ABOUT BELENE NPP PROJECT: FM

Sofia. Bulgaria will say 'no' to Russia about the construction of Belene nuclear power plant, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov said in an interview with Bulgarian National Television.

"Since we are partners with Russia, its government and companies participating in Belene NPP project, it was right to go and say that we will officially announce the project will not be implemented in its current appearance. So this was official as far as it was a meeting between ministers. But unofficially from this point of view we told them that such a decision would be announced soon. A month ago minister Traykov, members of my team and I visited Moscow, met with minister Shmatko, Rosatom officials, finance minister, several other ministers and we clearly told them that this government, I have not read what Mr. Kiriyenko said, but he definitely is aware of this upcoming decision. Why were they informed in advance? Because we wanted to remain partners, not within Belene project, but this is the right way in business and politics – we have come to this decision and we want you to know it in advance. The way we told them about Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project before finally quitting it. And there was the same fuss in the Russian press. We withdrew and we are going in the same direction here," said Simeon Dyankov.