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Bulgaria to concert all its energy actions with the EU

Date: March 4^th 2010 Author: Anastasiya Georgieva Aleksandrova, Sofia Category: Articles
Topic: Natural gas

At the press conference following the Sofia Energy Roundtable, Gunther Oettinger stated that a series of contracts concerning gas supply and important interconnection infrastructure between Bulgaria and Serbia would be signed on Friday in Brussels, which will help the development of a regional structure in Europe. Important decisions will be made with regards to gas industry as well and as Bulgaria is highly dependent on gas import, this is of crucial importance to Bulgaria as well. Oettinger explained that capacities were being built to meet the needs of not only the next few years but decades. He stated that as the technical infrastructure was not free from risk, the existing infrastructure was of extreme importance.

Energy Commissioner confirmed that EU supported South Stream, on condition that it met the technical standards for security. The respective pipeline is to increase the import capacities and create new infrastructure networks for import. On the other hand, the Nabucco pipeline will not only increase the capacities and improve technological standards but it is also a new project which includes new territories and thus increases the diversification of gas supply sources.

PHOTO: iStockphoto

Oettinger expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Boyko Borisov had shown the previous evening how advanced the negotiations for Nabucco and South Stream were. He affirmed that Nabucco could be realized only in a win-win situation and clarified that this was true for construction measures as well. According to him, this also has to apply to every single country which this pipeline is to cross and which would draw from its resources, as well as to all interested parties regarding energy production, investors and markets where the gas will be delivered.

One of the last issues him and Borisov discussed in detail was the processes with the Belene nuclear power plant. He announced that an intensive discussion would be held in the next few weeks, with the purpose of unifying Bulgaria’s and EU’s position on this issue. The dialogue will be based on the existing contracts, in depth investment analysis of the market situation and opportunities for attracting other investors.

Commissioner further expressed his intentions to coordinate the next steps with Europe’s US friends and Russian partners.

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