Moscow's efforts to thwart European plans to cut dependence on Russian gas are running into problems as the rival Nabucco pipeline moves forward while the Gazpromled South Stream pipeline becomes caught up in political maneuverings (see p1). Bulgaria's newly-elected prime minister, Boyko Borisov, has ordered a temporary halt in talks on building a nuclear plant in Belene with Russia's Atomstroyexport as well as on South Stream, two months after Gazprom inked a deal with Bulgaria's Energy Holding to set up 50-50 ventures for both projects (IOD May19,p3). In a letter to energy minister Peter Dimitrov, Borisov said there were "alarming signals" that some companies were ignoring national interests amid the current economic downturn, and that he plans to audit the contracts. Gazprom declined to comment. Analysts believe Borisov is unlikely to want to harm relations with Russia, and wants to take charge of both deals, although he ma
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