First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin.

At the meeting, the Ministers agreed that the relations between the two countries were very good, and the Bulgarian Foreign Minister assessed that they have never been at such a developed level as in recent years.

Speaking of gas pipeline "South Stream", the Ministers said that its construction was of great importance for both countries. Minister Dacic emphasized that it was primarily an issue of energy security and stability, not of the relations with Russia. Dacic also pointed out the importance of having a variety of sources and routes of gas in order to avoid a situation in which Bulgaria and Serbia were at the time of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Minister Dacic also said that Serbia, owing to gas storage, might overcome the problem of gas distribution in a short period of time, but not if the crisis lasted the entire season.

He emphasized that both Serbia and Bulgaria, and all other countries through which the pipeline had to pass, stick by their intention to build the South Stream and to reach solution with EC through an agreement.

The construction of "South Stream" through Serbia will cost, according to Dacic, around two billion euros, a significant part of the work will be performed by the Serbian companies. Dacic said that the long-term construction loan would be repaid through revenues from fees, which should reach several hundred million euros per year, depending on the amount of gas.

Minister Vigenin assessed that Bulgaria was in a constructive dialogue with the European Commission about the conditions of implementation of the project, adding that he expected to get clarification in the coming weeks in order to continue to work on the territory of Bulgaria.

It was agreed that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries hold political consultation in the autumn, and it was suggested to sign an agreement on friendship and good-neighborly relations, which would contribute to the further development of the relations between Serbia and Bulgaria.

Also, Minister Vigenin emphasized on this occasion that Bulgaria supported Serbia's EU membership and that it would continue to provide expert support in the process of accession negotiations.