Günther Oettinger pledges full support for Bulgaria's energy board

Photo: euractiv.com

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Ekaterina Zaharieva and Minister of Economy and Energy Vassil Shtonov met with the Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, in Brussels. The main topics of discussion were the stabilization of the energy sector in Bulgaria and the state of major energy infrastructure projects. Members of  GD Energy of the EC also took part in the meeting.

The Commissioner stated full support for the idea of establishing an energy board and  invited Bulgarian experts for talks at the European Commission to find balanced  mechanisms and stabilize the Energy sector. Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva stressed the need for urgent reforms that the caretaker government had the political will to continue. Both sides shared the view that the overall analysis of the sector, carried out by experts from the European Commission and the World Bank last year, was a good basis for an action plan for its stabilization.

As regards South Stream, the  Bulgarian side confirmed the  suspension of activities outlined in EC’s infringement procedure letter - termination of all tender procedures, and refraining from finalizing contracts, because they must comply with EU legislation.

Commissioner Oettinger welcomed the decision and said that Brussels was ready to engage in discussions with Bulgarian authorities to ensure full compliance of the project with EU rules. He again stressed that the EU was not against South Stream, but that it  insisted on complete synchronization of the project with European legislation. Commissioner Oettinger invited Bulgarian experts for talks in GD Energy to clarify the details of the infringement procedure.

The risk of ceasing natural gas supply to Bulgaria due to tensions between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed at the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva said that if it came down to this, Bulgaria would begin losing BGN 400 million per month.  She said that the construction of interconnectors with Greece was one of Bulgaria’s  main priorities. According to Oettinger the worst scenario would not happen. He assured the Bulgarian delegation that he was in constant contact with Moscow and Kiev, and that there would not be gas supply issues in the fall and winter.

Both sides are convinced of the need for greater connectivity and partnership between Member States in the field of energy and will work actively towards a common European energy policy.