Sofia Hosts Energy Diversification Talks

High-level negotiations on the possibility of building a gas hub in Bulgaria will be held on Monday, part of a initiative organized by Bulgarian PM Boiko Borisov. EU Commission Vice-President Maro? ?ef?ovi?, and European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete are expected to take part in the discussions to be held in Boyana.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is also going to hold talks with the EU representatives later on during the day.

Slovakia's gas pipeline operator Eurostream made a proposal to Bulgaria and Romania in late January regarding the construction of an interconnecting gas pipeline. One of the key benefits of the project would be preventing the negative consequences of possible disruptions in Russian gas supplies via Ukraine.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Television, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said that Bulgaria has a stable infrastructure with over 2,000 km of gas pipes. However, some still need rehabilitation, and additional 845 km need to be constructed. She also emphasized the need for diversification of both routes and sources of energy supplies.

Petkova stated that all the details on the cost, scope and funding opportunities will be disclosed after the negotiations are completed.