The terminal for liquified natural gas (LNG) in the Greek city of Alexandroupolis should become operational by October 2024 at the latest, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at a news briefing in Athens on Tuesday, following his working meeting with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the Greek capital. The two sides discussed the need to urgently intensify work on strategic projects between the two countries, such as the LNG terminal.
Radev stressed that Bulgaria and Greece have built excellent relations at the highest political level, thus boosting a number of important economic projects. "The problem is that we still cannot make the most of these excellent political relations," the head of State said.
Radev recalled that in February 2023 he had visited Greece together with some of the caretaker ministers from the government of caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev and back then they had signed "extremely important strategic agreements concerning the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project, as well as the project for joint management of the ports in Kavala".
There are still some technical issues with the LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis that are being fixed. The terminal is forecasted to be operational in October at the latest. Bulgarian state-owned gas transmission system operator Bulgartransgaz has signed an agreement with Gastrade, a subsidiary of the Greek energy company Copelouzos Group, to acquire a 20% stake in the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal.
Commenting on the call of North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that the Good Neighbourliness Treaty with Bulgaria could be renegotiated, Radev stressed: "Unfortunately, the state leadership of the Republic of North Macedonia is clearly not ready for the post for many reasons. Knowledge of international law is needed, which is clearly not there. When an international treaty is signed, it should be implemented by all subsequent governments, not revised."
Statistical data is also needed, Radev continued, explaining that at least 120,000 citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia have obtained Bulgarian citizenship on the basis of origin proven with documents. "There should be elementary knowledge of human rights because in Bulgaria we do not beat people who express a different identity, we do not shoot at their clubs and set them on fire, we do not keep them away from any positions in the administration," the Bulgarian President underscored.
"There is a lot for the state leadership to learn. We are ready to help and have always helped the Republic of North Macedonia on its European path. However, these developments are taking the country rapidly away from European integration and are worrying both Bulgaria and Greece. Because you cannot be a NATO member and insist on becoming an EU member and come out with such statements. It is important that the Republic of North Macedonia sticks to its European path," Radev noted.
Earlier on Tuesday, Radev also conferred with Greek counterpart Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the head of State's press secretariat said.
