Greek opposition backs oil pipeline

ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Greek opposition leaders have thrown their support behind the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, party officials say.

George Papandreou, the leader of the opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement, said he would support the 173-mile pipeline if his party took power in the October elections, RIA Novosti reports.

"We were the government that started the Burgas-Alexandroupolis project, and, judging by the situation, we will be the government that will complete this project," he said.

President Karolos Papoulias dissolved the Parliament last week in part due to tough challenges from the global financial crisis. Early elections are set for Oct. 4.

Greece, Russia and Bulgaria signed a memorandum of understanding on the 173-mile pipeline from the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea in 2005. Initial capacity is estimated to reach 257 million barrels per year, with plans to increase that volume by more than 100 million barrels.

The pipeline is to bypass Turkey's Bosporus and Dardanelles by traversing an overland route.

Lawmakers said the development of the pipeline would position their country as a Balkan energy hub.