A protest against the construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline was held in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Bulgaria's capital Sofia.

The protest coincided with the two-day visit of Russian president Putin to Bulgaria.

The Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline will transport crude oil from Russia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia to the port of Alexandroupolis on the Aegean Sea. From there the oil will be transported by tankers to Western Europe and the USA.

At the protest, a blue stage with Bulgarian flags on it had been erected, with the slogan “No to the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline” written on it.

About 300 people – citizens, representatives of different political parties - Ataka, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), Middle European Class (MEC), and of different eco movements gathered. There were members and supporters of the Green Policy Institute, the official Greenpeace representative for Bulgaria.

Six buses with protesters from Bourgas arrived.

Deputy chairman of the Ekoglasnost (Eco Publicity) political club Petar Penchev commented that the protest was held with the permission of Sofia municipality.

After the protest at NDK, a march to the Sveta Nedelya square was held.