The Minister of Energy and the Employers’ Organizations discussed the energy priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU

“Bulgaria will work actively for the efficient functioning of the Energy Union, in the meantime defending the national interests. We will focus our efforts on completing the interconnection of the Western Balkans to guarantee the security of the energy supplies in the region”, said the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova at a meeting with the employers’ organizations and energy companies, during which Bulgaria’s priorities in the energy sector during its Presidency of the Council of the EU were discussed.

Current topics on the agenda of the Council of the EU in the energy sector include the functioning of the Energy Union, and completion of the Energy Package of legislative and non-legislative proposals “Clean Energy for All Europeans”. Bulgaria will participate actively to make progress in the discussions at EU-level by seeking a balance of member-states’ interests and finding compromise solutions.

Diversification of sources and routes, and the construction of a European gas hub on the territory of Bulgaria are among the important priorities which the Bulgarian government will work on under the Presidency. Emphasis will also be placed on building the missing infrastructure with neighbouring countries, as well as developing the model for the regional energy market.

The President of BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov confirmed the Chamber’s readiness to work in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy on the organization of joint events during the Presidency.