site.btaPM Borissov Opens Renovated Compressor Station Lozenets

PM Borissov Opens Renovated Compressor Station Lozenets

Yambol, Southeast Bulgaria, March 4 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov opened the renovated compressor station Lozenets near the southeastern town of Straldzha on Friday. "After talking for years about diversification of natural gas supplies, while using old compressors that do not permit it, now we can transport gas from various sources and in all directions. In about 20 days, two more such reversible compressors will be completed in Strandzha," Borissov said during the opening, which was also attended by Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski, US Ambassador to Bulgaria Eric Rubin, Bulgartransgaz Executive Director Georgi Gegov and business representatives.

Borissov described the new facilities as a huge progress, explaining that they allow Bulgaria to negotiate the Southern Gas Corridor, the gas hub and everything gas-related. "At this stage, we are ready to start building the gas interconnector with Turkey," he noted, adding that an agreement has been signed with Greece as well.

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"We are starting a joint training between Interior Ministry and Defence Ministry forces, so that we can be ready for all possible situations, including to close the border checkpoints in the event of a migrant wave from Greece and Macedonia," Borissov commented during the gas compressor's opening. According to the Prime Minister, Bulgaria's neighbours have been informed about the training. The holidays will be used to redeploy the two ministries' forces and equipment, he added.

Borissov said that the police officers and servicemen will patrol jointly and the refugees who enter Bulgaria outside border crossings will be returned to the countries from which they entered. Enhancing the security along the border with Greece will not happen at the expense of the border with Turkey, he said.
    
Answering a question, the Prime Minister said he could not give a deadline for completing the fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border, because the terrain is complicated.

"I believe that Brussels will accept my proposal to have people enter EU countries only through official border checkpoints. We can't legalize illegal emigrants anymore," he added.