Bulgarian PM announces pipeline deal with Russia

Bulgaria's prime minister said Bulgaria and Russia would sign an agreement Friday for construction of the South Stream gas pipeline, conceived by the Kremlin to undercut a prospective US- and EU-backed gas pipeline and strengthen its dominance in EU energy supplies. "Bulgaria's interests are fully protected, because the company which will be set up to construct and run the pipeline on Bulgarian soil will be with 50 percent Bulgarian and 50 percent Russian ownership," Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin.