Russian Foreign Ministry: Turkish Stream does not hinder European integration of the Balkans
The construction of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, which is a continuation of the Turkish Stream through Bulgaria and Serbia, contributes to the integration of Russia and the Balkan countries.
This was stated by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Belgrade, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, who today gave a lecture on the topic “Russia’s Balkan Policy” at the Serbian Institute of International Politics and Economics, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“Everything is happening as agreed, and we believe that this will be implemented next year, and that Europe will have another source of gas and the opportunity to strengthen energy security. I cannot agree with the thesis that increasing supplies of gas and oil increases the Balkans’ dependence on Russia. No, this is interdependence, a kind of integration,” the diplomat said, adding that the Balkans have been and will remain an infrastructure hub of Europe.
The ambassador emphasized that all Russian activities do not interfere with the processes of European integration of the region.
“This issue is of greatest concern. The interest of Serbia and other countries in the region in EU membership is neither a barrier nor an obstacle to cooperation with Russia,” he emphasized, adding that Russia respects this position.
He called Serbia an example of a policy of balanced cooperation with Western Europe and Russia. According to him, Belgrade's military neutrality is the best solution.
Let us recall that during a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Sochi, Vladimir Putin threatened to change the route of the Balkan Stream in the event of further sabotage by Bulgaria, which is disrupting the construction schedule of the pipeline through its territory. Putin also assured that Serbia, which has fulfilled all construction obligations, will definitely receive the necessary gas.
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