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Gazprom CEO Miller Arrives in Sofia for South Stream Talks

Russian gas giant Gazprom's CEO Alexey Miller is to make a one-day trip to Bulgarian capital Sofia on Monday to discuss the developments of the joint South Stream natural gas pipeline project.

Miller is expected to arrive in Sofia around noon, and head directly to a scheduled meeting with Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski.

The Gazprom CEO is also expected to be made doctor honoris causa of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, for his contribution to the "good and mutually beneficial relations between Bulgaria and Russia".

High on the agenda during talks with Bulgarian PM Oresharski is expected to be the actual start of South Stream construction in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian section of the pipe was planned to be started by the middle of the summer of 2013, but it has no environmental impact assessment and construction permit issued yet.

The South Stream pipeline is to ship natural gas from Russia via the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Serbia and on to Hungary and Austria.

Adapted from Novinite