U.S. envoy Richard Morningstar expressed support on Friday for Bulgaria's efforts for higher energy independence, the Bulgarian government said ahead of talks with Russia next week on joint energy deals.
During talks in Sofia with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, the U.S. special envoy for Eurasian energy praised the government for its strong stance on the need to diversify Bulgaria's energy sources, the government's information service said in a statement.
The Balkan country receives all of its gas and 60% of its oil supplies from Russia.
But the new right-wing government, which took office in July, has vowed to reduce this dependence and review several energy deals with Russia, including the building of a new nuclear plant on the Danube and an oil pipeline between the Black Sea port of Burgas and Greece's Aegean port of Alexandrupolis.
"You have the right approach. We see and appreciate your efforts," Morningstar was quoted as telling Borisov Friday.
"You have a strong character and the will to help Bulgaria achieve a leading role in [setting] the energy policy of the region."
Morningstar and Borisov also discussed the Russia-backed South Stream project aimed at bringing gas to Europe via Turkey and Bulgaria, and its rival European Union-backed Nabucco pipeline, which seeks to bypass Russian supplies.
Bulgaria has backed both projects.
Friday's talks come ahead of a meeting next week in Sofia of a Russian-Bulgarian intergovernmental committee to discuss the development of South Stream and if Bulgaria will continue or drop the Belene nuclear plant project and the Burgas-Alexandrupolis oil pipeline.