site.btaEnergy Minister Petkova Participates in Forum on Energy Security

111 ECONOMY - ENERGY - FORUM - SERBIA

Energy Minister Petkova
Participates in Forum
on Energy Security


Belgrade/Sofia, June 3 (BTA) - Real diversification can be achieved only through cooperation between Southeastern European countries, Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova said at a forum on energy security in the region, quoted Monday by her Ministry. The forum takes place in Belgrade, Serbia, and includes ministers from Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Hungary, Montenegro and Republika Srpska.

Petkova recalled that precisely achieving energy security was the main focus of the first Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2018. The Minister focused on the need for constructing missing infrastructure both in the natural gas sector and in the energy one, so as to achieve energy security in the Western Balkans region. Petkova spoke about the idea for a European gas trading platform in Bulgaria, the so-called Balkan Gas Hub, which aims to connect the natural gas markets of the Western Balkans EU Member States, along with Central and Western Europe, through the construction of the necessary gas transmission infrastructure.

Petkova noted that work on accelerating the implementation of the Gas Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS) continues, and added that the project is included in the European Commission's list of projects of common interest for the EU. She recalled that May 22 gave start to the construction of the Gas Interconnector Bulgaria-Greece. Petkova also announced Bulgaria's intention to participate as a shareholder in the Alexandroupolis LNG import terminal. "The successful implementation of these projects by 2020 will provide diversification and security of energy supplies for Bulgaria and for the Southeastern Europe region," she noted.

When it comes to the energy sector, Petkova noted that Southeastern European countries face serious challenges that require the creation of low carbon capabilities because of the efforts related to climate change and the increasing demand for energy. She outlined the construction project for the Belene nuclear power plant (NPP) as a possible solution to the problem. "We believe the project for a new nuclear power might have a key role in the region's energy security and in increasing its competitiveness and economic development," Petkova noted, adding that an invitation for the selection procedure for a new strategic investor for the Belene NPP was published in the EU Official Journal on May 22.

Petkova urged for joint efforts on a European level for dealing with the new challenges that the transforming European market creates. She noted that the transition to a low carbon economy should be smooth and should take into account the Member States' national specifications and their right to set their own energy mix. LI/TH


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