site.btaDevelopment of SEE Gas Infrastructure Needs Solidarity within EU

Development of SEE Gas Infrastructure Needs Solidarity within EU

Luxembourg/Sofia, June 8 (BTA) - Solidarity within the EU is key
to developing energy infrastructure in Southeastern Europe,
said Deputy Energy Minister Anton Pavlov at an EU Energy Council
meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, where he presented Bulgaria's
position.

The meeting discussed headway under the Energy Security Strategy
which is aimed at boosting EU's capacity to tackle disruption
risks to natural gas supplies.

Bulgaria supports joint efforts at reducing Europe's energy
dependence, improving energy security and ensuring affordable
energy for EU citizens. Bulgaria's top priorities include
guaranteeing security of gas supplies through diversification of
sources and routes, said Pavlov. According to him, the
modernization of the existing gas infrastructure in Southeastern
Europe and the construction of new infrastructure is extremely
important. Pavlov underscored that efforts to overcome energy
dependence require adequate financial assistance by the EU.

Bulgaria's position is that energy security should be discussed
within a broader context which includes diversification of
energy supplies and optimum use of local resources to improve
energy efficiency.

In Luxembourg, EU energy ministers adopted a conclusion on the
implementation of the Energy Union Framework Strategy.