The first meeting of the High Level Group on Central and Southeast Europe Gas Connectivity was held in Sofia
“Bulgaria is one of the EU countries most interested in the security of energy supplies and diversification of sources. Therefore, our Government is actively working for the realization of key projects, which will allow the country to have access to secure gas supplies at competitive prices,” Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at the opening of the first meeting of the High Level Group on Central and Southeast Europe Gas Connectivity. The event was held on 9 February in Sofia at the initiative of the Prime Minister. During his opening speech, he pointed out that Bulgaria’s goals were in sync with those of the European Energy Union.
The meeting was attended by Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete, representatives of countries of Central and Southeast Europe, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova and Deputy Minister Anton Pavlov.
“In the winter of 2008, Bulgaria was the country most affected when Russia halted gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. Ever since Bulgaria has been determined not to allow such a risk. A priority of the Bulgarian Government is the construction of interconnectors with neighboring Greece, Romania, Turkey and Serbia, as well the development of its own gas reserves in the Black Sea shelf,” the Prime Minister added. He pointed out that each project would be implemented in line with European legislation, as this would ensure competitiveness, low prices for end consumers, and security of supplies.
Prime Minister Borissov went on to say that due to its geographical location, Bulgaria had the potential to be a gas distribution center of Southeast Europe. According to the Prime Minister that was the reason why the meeting, dedicated to linking the gas infrastructure in the region, was of key importance.