Don't turn on Russia, Parvanov says

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Sofia should stay the course in its support for Russian energy projects as part of an effort to become a regional economic giant, the Bulgarian president said.

A new government under center-right Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov took office July 27. Borisov prior to his inauguration had called for a detailed review of some Russian energy projects, notably the South Stream gas pipeline to southeastern Europe.

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov had signed deals for a nuclear power plant, the South Stream gas pipeline and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline with Moscow in 2008.

Apart from those Russian-backed projects, Sofia signed onto a major agreement in July for the Nabucco gas pipeline to Europe.

Parvanov said the new Cabinet should keep Russian energy projects on the table as the country pushes efforts to increase its regional position, the Sofia Echo reports.

"The big energy projects are an investment in the energy security of the country in the long term," he said. "If we wish to be the energy center of the Balkans, as is our intention, we must be very careful what we do."

Center-right lawmakers, however, called for a review of the contractual clauses of the Russian agreements, saying the new Cabinet should break the agreements.