NEWS

At a Forum in Bratislava the Head of State Called on for Common Rules and a Principled Policy in the Energy Sector

The diverse interests of individual states in the energy sector can be united only by adhering to the common principles of the European Energy Union. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists after taking part in the XI Global Forum on Security Issues GLOBSEC 2016 held in Bratislava and after holding talks with Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the European Commission in charge of the Energy Union. At the forum, attended by more than 1,000 representatives from 75 countries, the President once again called on for the creation of a European Energy Union to begin from Southeastern Europe.

“I do not agree that only interests and geopolitics should be discussed in the energy sector. It is important for me that there should be common rules and a principled policy,” Rosen Plevneliev said. The Head of State reiterated that natural gas should not be used as a weapon, but should be traded at competitive prices and everyone should have access to alternative sources.

The EU member states should focus on the projects which are smaller, yet can be more quickly implemented to achieve energy diversification, the President further called on for and highlighted the importance of inter-connectors for improving the security of natural gas supplies in Southeastern Europe. The future of the energy sectors does not lie in spending huge amounts of money on building gas pipelines, but in creating networks and achieving closer connectivity, Rosen Plevneliev was adamant.  

The Head of State and Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the European Commission in charge of the Energy Union, focused above all on energy diversification at the meeting. The President voiced gratitude for the support offered by the European Commission, which will make it possible for the gas inter-connector between Bulgaria and Romania to ensure the transfer of natural gas in both directions. “What is also a positive development is that the orders for natural gas made during the market test of the gas inter-connector between Bulgaria and Romania, exceeded the pipeline’s projected capacity. This proves that there are good economic reasons to implement this project, which is extremely important to us,” Rosen Plevneliev further said.

The Head of State and the vice president of the European Commission shared the position that the energy policy of the EU will increasingly rely on using renewable and ecological energy sources. The President recalled that Bulgaria has already met the EU requirements and currently more than 20 percent of the electricity produced in the country comes from renewable sources. “Bulgaria has also set an example with its energy efficiency program. Our priorities in our energy policy – liberalization, energy efficiency and diversification will be implemented in partnership with the European Commission and will serve the interests of the Bulgarian people and the region,” the Head of State further said.

In reply to a journalist’s question, President Rosen Plevneliev highlighted that our country is strategically important for strengthening the stability in the Balkan region and particularly in the Republic of Macedonia. This was the position voiced by the Head of State in the telephone talk he had with George Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia. Rosen Plevneliev recalled that Bulgaria also passed through a period of political instability and civil protests in 2013 and called on the Macedonian politicians to unite around the principles of observing the rule of law and not using violence. “The people expect that top-level corruption practices will not be tolerated and therefore the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the Republic of Macedonia should complete its work,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State also expressed concern over the ongoing migration crisis and highly appreciated the measures the state institutions have taken to protect the external EU borders. “Voicing my concern, I would like to assure the Bulgarian people that the institutions are strong and so far Bulgaria has been an example of a responsible protection of the borders and observing human rights,” the President assured. Rosen Plevneliev once again said that the acts of violence against the asylum-seekers are unacceptable and voiced hope that the law would be strictly applied if such cases are proved to have occurred.