site.btaForeign Minister Mitov: Southeast Europe Is Among Most Vulnerable in Regard to Energy Security

Foreign Minister Mitov:
Southeast Europe Is Among Most Vulnerable
in Regard to Energy Security


Istanbul, November 21 (BTA) - Southeast Europe is one of the
most vulnerable regions in regard to energy security as it
relies on a single supplier, said foreign Minister Daniel Mitov
at an Atlantic Council Energy and Economy Forum in Istanbul on
Thursday, his Ministry said Friday.

The Minister noted that natural gas prices in Bulgaria are 40
per cent higher compared with Western Europe and that the
infrastructure and systems interconnectivity is undeveloped.

Mitov took part in a plenary session dedicated to "Completing
Europe Whole and Free".

Turkey and Greece are countries with strategic prospects for gas
 supply diversification, expanding and upgrading energy
infrastructure, energy efficiency, sustainable development and
competitiveness.

Mitov said that Bulgaria should do away with its energy
dependency and the concept of an energy union is the first step
to this end. The Foreign Minister said the crises in Ukraine and
 the Middle East have put an end to the relative comfort of the
past 25 years but they are also na opportunity "to understand
who we are and what we are fighting for". Mitov urged for an
open dialogue with Russia to find out what values it stands and
what concession it is ready to make.

The Minister said that despite a brief faltering EU's
enlargement should continue. Bulgaria fully supports the
European prospects of candidate counties and is ready to provide
 assistance. SN/PP

//