Bulgaria is
among those poised to score the biggest gain from the European Energy Union in
terms of energy security, improved connectedness with neighbor countries, and energy
diversification, according to Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European
Commission, in charge of Energy Union.
Sefcovic,
who is on an official visit to Bulgaria, told the Bulgarian National Television
that EU Member States and countries seeking to join the EU Energy Union had
agreed that they needed improved connectedness, self-reliance, and
diversification of energy sources.
He pointed
out that it would be very advantageous for Bulgaria if it could secure gas
deliveries from three different sources.
Sefcovic noted that the Commission was working on a strategy to that effect,
analyzing the best ways to achieve the goal.
He emphasized the importance of projects such as the Southern Gas Corridor
which were aimed at delivering Caspian gas to Europe.
During his
visit to Bulgaria, Sefcovic will discuss opportunities for using the Juncker
Plan to increase the funding available for the development of energy
infrastructure, including projects such as the Bulgaria-Romania gas grid
interconnector, scheduled for completion by 2016.
Regarding
the issue of gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine, he declared that a trilateral
agreement was expected to be signed, specifying the price, the deadlines, and
other details of the deliveries, adding that he expected no unpleasant
surprises related to the matter.
He made
clear that the Commission was engaged in intensive contact with the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank
(EIB) and that a number of issues related to securing the funding for gas
supplies to Ukraine had been settled.
(www.novinite.com, 15
Sept., 2015)