site.btaSofia to Host Meeting for Development of European Energy Union

Sofia to Host Meeting for Development of European Energy Union


Brussels, February 4 (BTA corr. Nikolay Jeliazakov) - Sofia is
to host next Monday the first meeting on matters of the Europe
Energy Union and its implications in Southeast Europe,
Vice-President of the EC in charge of Energy Union Maros
Sefcovic told a news conference on Wednesday.

Sefcovic said that a very thorough discussion is to to start on
Monday on how to recreate the energy landscape in Southeastern
Europe because this part of the EU is still not adequately
integrated into the European energy system. There is still a big
need for major infrastructure projects, he said, noting that "
we must ensure that this part of Europe is getting secure and
affordable energy".

The EC official said that one of the questions that are going to
be discussed are the many opportunities for energy
infrastructure projects in Bulgaria. The most optimal solutions
for gas and electricity interconnections will be sought, he
said. Sefcovic spoke about a big hope in the development of the
southern pipelines for delivery of Azeri gas. Everyone in Europe
is interested in the realization of these projects, he said.

About the idea to build a gas hub in Bulgaria, Sefcovic said
that projects like this one can receive European funding if
transparency is achieved and if agreements of consent are signed
with the countries in the region that this is an acceptable way
to ensure gas.

The EC Vice-President said it was odd for Gazprom to speak with
its customers from news conferences. The countries of the South
Stream gas pipeline projects were not officially notified of its
cancellation, he said, approached to comment the idea for the
construction of the so-called Turkish Stream. According to
Sefcovic, the construction of a new Russian gas pipeline to
Turkey is a radical proposal which gives rise to technical
questions and unclear implications of what will happen with the
signed long-term agreements on delivery of gas in Europe.

More rational talks should be held including on the issues of
Russian gas supplies and vital projects, said Commissioner
Sefcovic. In his opinion there should be more transparency
regarding the intergovernmental agreements and the gas supply
contracts as this would increase the EU weight in the
negotiations with suppliers. The EU is consuming and buying
large quantities of gas, therefore, it deserves proper attitude.

Taking a question on the idea about common purchase of gas by
the EU, he explained that the Western European gas market is
much better connected, the market mechanisms are working and the
companies negotiate and buy gas. But in Central and Eastern
Europe, the talks are tougher, the negotiating positions are
week and unfavourable contracts are signed. He noted, however,
that such a common approach should be complied with the
legislation on competition of the EU and the requirements of the
World Trade Organization. Another possibility is to ensure more
transparency of the agreements signed, which would facilitate
the European countries in their negotiations on the supply of
energy resources.

Sefcovic said that the issues of the European Energy Union were
discussed for the first time in essence by the European
Commission on Wednesday. A written proposal on the development
of this strategy is expected to be moved on February 25. An
action plan with specific proposals for the formation of such
Union is about to be adopted.

EU is strongly dependent on energy imports: every year it pays
billions of euros as over 53 per cent of the energy is imported,
Sefcovic pointed out. The EU needs a strong internal energy
market. It is not fully liberalized and there are still
anomalies in the countries' energy systems as well as
administrative obstacles. In his opinion, the EU neighbours
should also be involved with the European Energy Union project.

"The Ukraine crisis brought energy security element up to the
forefront of our political agenda," the Commissioner also said.
"I think that there is a very clear feeling that, in the EU, in
the 21st century, we should not spend each summer being worried,
if we would have secure energy supply in the winter," he added.


The completion of the internal energy market of the EU would
contribute to a proper choice of consumers and better prices at
real competition between suppliers and producers. The Energy
Union will seek to achieve higher energy efficiency and economic
development, which is rather based on renewable energy
resources, and more accelerated implementation of new
technologies in the energy field, Sefcovic observed.