Washington supports the Nabucco gas pipeline, but it is just one project and not the only answer to energy security, Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar, Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, told a news conference after the Sofia Energy Summit on April 25. “Nabucco is important, but it is not the only solution for European energy security,” he said. “This is problem of countries attendants in the project. We will help for realization of the project as much as we can.”

He also said that Nabucco needs to be based on profitability and on the interests of the European countries and companies, and the interests of the countries in the region. There are specific ways for the US to support Nabucco, economic ways, not direct subsidies but international financing and access to funding. The decisions are to be made by the participating countries and the US will help them through the negotiations in a constructive manner, Morningstar said. The US position on South Stream is neither “for” nor “against,” he said. It has doubts about it, has fears that it will be too expensive and is not sure where the gas will come for it.

Morningstar also said Iran could be a possible supplier to Nabucco. Morningstar noted Iran sits on major gas fields, but he also talked of diplomatic concerns over economic engagement with Tehran. “Obviously right now gas from Iran creates some difficulties with the United States as well as with other countries,” he said.