In a phone conversation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov presented the idea about the development of the Belene nuclear power plant project as a common Balkan project. Russia is ready to join the discussions when the project resumes, Vladimir Putin pointed out. Bulgaria’s Premier Borissov and Russia’s head of state Putin also discussed the development of the Balkan gas hub and the possibilities for direct gas supplies to Bulgaria under mutually beneficial conditions and guarantees from the European Commission. Premier Borissov told President Putin that the gas interconnection between Bulgaria and Turkey is expected to start functioning on June 1 this year. Boyko Borissov and Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility for construction of a gas pipeline branch connecting the Turkish Stream pipeline and the Balkan gas hub.