site.btaPresident Plevneliev Calls for Common Rules, Principled Policy in Energy Sector

President Plevneliev Calls for Common Rules, Principled Policy in Energy Sector

Bratislava, April 16 (BTA) - The different countries' various interests in the energy sector can be united by following the European Energy Union's common principles, President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists here on Saturday after taking part in the GLOBSEC 2016 global security forum. The forum focuses on topics related to the future of the EU, the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the migration pressure in Europe.

Speaking at the forum, which was attended by over 1,000 representatives from 75 countries, Plevneliev once again urged the establishment of the European Energy Union to start from Southeast Europe.

The President said he does not believe that the energy sector is just about interests and geopolitics. "It is important to me that there are common rules and a principled policy," he said, adding that EU member states should focus on smaller and faster to implement projects for achieving energy diversification. He stressed the importance of the gas interconnectors for improving the security of natural gas supplies in Southeast Europe.

The Bulgarian Head of State also conferred with European Commission Vice President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic, Plevneliev's Press Secretariat reported Saturday.

Energy diversification was the main topic of the meeting between the two. Plevneliev thanked for the European Commission's support for the gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Romania, which will ensure the transfer of natural gas both ways. The orders for natural gas through the interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece, which were made during the market test, exceeded the pipeline's projected capacity, Plevneliev said, adding that this is very encouraging.

Plevneliev and Sefcovic agreed that the energy policy in the EU and the world is becoming ever more reliant on the use of renewable energy sources. The President recalled that Bulgaria has already met the EU requirements and over 20 per cent of the electricity produced in this country comes from renewable energy sources. Bulgaria is an example with its programme for energy efficiency. The energy policy's priorities - liberalization, energy efficiency and diversification, will be implemented in partnership with the European Commission and in the interest of the Bulgarian citizens and the region, Plevneliev further noted.
 
Speaking to journalists, he stressed that reinforcing stability in the Balkans, and in the Republic of Macedonia in particular, is of strategic importance for Bulgaria. The citizens expect that high level corruption will not be tolerated, which is why the specialized prosecution in the Republic of Macedonia must finish its job, Plevneliev said.

The Head of State also voiced his concerns about the continuing migration crisis and highly assessed the measures taken by State institutions for protecting the EU's external borders. "Sharing my concern, I would like to assure the Bulgarian citizens, that the institutions are strong and Bulgaria is an example for responsible border protection and human rights observation," he noted.