NEWS

Bulgaria must assume clear commitments to its energy security and diversification. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists in Warsaw. Energy security was high on the agenda of the talks held in the Polish capital between Central and East European Heads of state and government and US President Barack Obama. 

 

The Bulgarian Head of State is adamant that it is high time to implement the projects for gas inter-connectors with our neighboring countries because this will reduce Bulgaria’s energy dependence. “We have long been talking that we are looking for alternative gas suppliers, it is high time we pooled efforts to this effect,” the President added, citing the example of Poland, Croatia and the Baltic States, which are making an attempt to limit their energy dependence by building their own liquefied natural gas terminals that will ensure supplies from various countries.

 

“A floating liquefied natural gas terminal in Greece is a plausible idea for Bulgaria and the region, and we should pool maximum efforts to put it into practice,” the President said, voicing hope that the project will be implemented. In Plevneliev’s words, the construction of gas inter-connectors with Serbia and Romania must be speeded up, which will ensure a connection with Croatia and Poland respectively. “This is how we can receive gas from various directions in an efficient manner,” the President said. However, in his words, the implementation of gas inter-connectors with Turkey “can solve the problem with the diversification of” the energy resource supply routes.

 

The President further said that Bulgarian politicians should frankly explain to the citizens that, globally, the prices of energy will not fall. “States are pooling efforts to launch national energy efficiency programs, this is the way to globally solve the problem with the high energy prices, which will not be reduced in the following years. Knowing this, we should help cut down people’s bills by making investments in energy efficiency,” Rosen Plevneliev recalled.

 

The Head of State and former president Zhelyo Zhelev (1990-1997) are guests of the Polish Seim, where Polish President Bronislav Komorovski will deliver a speech on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the democratic changes in Central and Eastern Europe. 

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.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.