NEWS

The Bulgarian projects for inter-system gas links with Greece and Turkey should be considered as an inseparable part of the Southern Gas Corridor, allowing for considerable gas supplies to Bulgaria and neighbouring countries such as Romania, Serbia, and other countries in Europe, declared President Rosen Plevneliev in his speech during the ceremony for the start of the construction of the southern Gas Corridor. 

 

The official start of the construction in Baku, Azerbaijan was attended by the Azerbaijani Head of State Ilham Aliyev, as well as representatives from Albania, the United Kingdom, Georgia, Italy, the USA, Turkey and Montenegro. 

 

The interconnectors with Greece and Turkey, combined with the pending expansion of the facilities for the storage of gas up to one billion cubic meters will make Bulgaria a preferred centre for gas supplies in South-Eastern Europe, said in his statement at the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor President Rosen Plevneliev. The Head of State underscored that our country is totally engaged in the swift realization of the interconnectors with Turkey, Greece, Romania and Serbia.

 

Rosen Plevneliev said that the inter-system gas connection with Romania will soon start functioning and the one with Greece is due to be completed in 2016. The other two interconnector projects – with Serbia and Turkey, are being rapidly constructed, so that they can be completed as soon as possible, underlined the President.   

 

According to Rosen Plevneliev the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor will overcome “Bulgaria’s dependence on one pipeline” and will guarantee the security of gas supplies to the whole region of South-Eastern Europe. “Five years ago, Europe was reminded of its most vulnerable part – its energy dependency. Bulgaria was one of the most affected countries during the gas crisis in 2009”, said President Plevneliev. “Finding alternative sources and routes of gas supplies is a matter of national security, and energy diversification – a key priority”, declared the Head of State.

 

“Azerbaijan has always been a valued and reliable partner” said President Plevneliev and thanked his Azerbaijani colleague Ilham Aliyev and the government of Azerbaijan for the cooperation in signing the Contract for the sale of gas between “Bulgargaz” and SOCAR which envisages the supply of 1 billion cubic meters gas annually, due to begin in the period 2019-2020. President Plevneliev underscored the readiness on the Bulgarian part to discuss the possibilities for the supply of additional gas quantities from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria. 

The active participation of the Bulgarian defence industry will strengthen the capabilities of the EU and NATO, said Iliana Iotova at a meeting with the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.