The South Stream pipeline is not a competing one but it is supplementary in relation to the Nabucco pipeline and, consequently, there is no problem on the part of the European Union.

   This was stated on Wednesday by the European Commission's representative in Brussels, when asked whether the South Stream pipeline, whose construction is entering the final phase, also following Tuesday's agreement between Greece and Russia, constitutes a problem in relation to the Nabucco pipeline, whose construction is being backed by EU funds.

   The Commission's representative said that the EU is backing Nabucco with the aim of strengthening Europe's energy supply from non-traditional sources. He added that the South Stream concerns supply from traditional sources and, consequently, it does not have a competing but a supplementary role with Nabucco, regarding Europe's energy security.

   Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of European Commission building in Brussels /PANTELIS SAITAS