According to Mr Yiannis Maniatis Greek Deputy Energy Minister, his country may take steps to push through plans for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline in the near future.

Mr Maniatis said "A diplomatic initiative, with proper preparations and methodology will probably arise in the near future. We consider that this will benefit our national interests."

Bulgaria has said it may withdraw from the project because of environmental concerns and doubts about the project profitability. The country has not invested in the project since the summer of 2009 when Mr Boyko Borisov, the leader of the right wing Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party became the country prime minister.

Mr Maniatis said the Greek authorities were concerned by Bulgaria moves and criticized the Bulgarian prime minister for his controversial statements.

Mr George Papandreou Greek Prime Minister said in mid February that the construction of the pipeline could start in six months. Once completed, the pipeline will pump 35 million tonnes of oil a year a volume that could eventually be increased to 50 million tonnes.

Mr Dimitris Sioufas from the opposition New Democracy party told the Athens based legislature on Monday that the Greek government should do more to push the project through.

He said that "The Burgas-Alexandroupolis project in the first oil pipeline in decades to be built in the European territory which will strengthen the energy security of Western markets."

Under an inter governmental agreement on the construction of the pipeline, Russia holds a 51% stake in the project while Greece and Bulgaria hold 24.5% each.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)