President Rumen Radev: The gas connection between Bulgaria and Serbia is changing the energy map of Europe

The intersystem gas connection Bulgaria-Serbia changes the energy map of Europe and provides a guarantee for diversification and security of energy supplies not only for our two countries, but also for the entire region of Southeast Europe. This was stated by President Rumen Radev during the opening in Niš of the intersystem gas connection Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS). The President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the event.

The Bulgarian head of state pointed out that the accelerated implementation of the Bulgaria-Serbia gas connection proves that the countries of the region have a serious contribution and participation in achieving the ambitious European goals for diversification and increasing the security of supplies. The Bulgaria-Sabia interconnector has been designated by the European Commission as a project of common interest for the European Union, emphasized Rumen Radev.

The gas connection is a symbol of the successful and fruitful cooperation between Bulgaria, Serbia and Azerbaijan in the future, which leads to sustainable economic development of our region, the president also stated. The Head of State recalled that at the beginning of February, in the presence of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, construction activities on the Bulgarian territory for the construction of the interconnector between the two countries were started. And in April, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Sofia to participate in the beginning of the "Solidarity Ring" initiative. It is the Bulgaria-Serbia interconnector that enables the realization of the "Solidarity Ring" initiative for the increased transfer of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, which was proposed by Bulgaria during the caretaker government.

"Bulgaria, aware of its geographical position, conducts a very active energy policy not only for its own benefit, but also for the benefit of all its neighbors and a wider range of countries in the region," the head of state pointed out. President Radev emphasized the increased possibilities for natural gas transmission after the commissioning of the interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece. Bulgaria has finally started receiving gas from Azerbaijan under a contract signed 10 years ago, and Baku strictly complies with all conditions, despite the deep geopolitical changes since then, Rumen Radev pointed out. The commissioning of the inter-system gas connection between Bulgaria and Serbia will provide access to Serbia and a number of other countries in the region and to the liquefied natural gas terminal in Alexandroupolis, the construction of which should be completed in March next year and in which Bulgaria is a shareholder with 20 % and last but not least - to the underground gas storage "Chiren", the expansion of which is to be completed by the end of 2024. For its part, Bulgaria in a reversible mode will have access to gas from Western Europe, the head of state emphasized.

President Radev emphasized the role of the good partnership in the project for deepening the cooperation between Bulgaria and Serbia in the economic sphere. Providing access to natural gas in the regions along the interconnector route increases investment interest and stimulates economic activity in the border regions where the Bulgarian national minority lives, Rumen Radev pointed out.

With the continuation of joint efforts and the positive policy of connectivity, the countries of the region have the opportunity to participate in joint tenders for gas supplies to achieve the best prices and the best conditions for citizens and economies, as well as for the sale of gas to third countries, the president also emphasized during the opening of the Bulgaria-Serbia power connector.

President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Bulgaria and Serbia are implementing a large joint project such as a gas connection between the two countries, which is of great importance not only for the two countries, but also for the entire region.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev determined today's event in Nis on the commissioning of the gas connection as a ceremony of friendship and partnership, which will contribute to the energy security not only of Sofia and Belgrade, but also of the whole of Europe.

The intersystem gas connection Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS) has a total length of 170 km. with a route from Novi Iskar, Republic of Bulgaria to Nis, Republic of Serbia, of which 62 km. on Bulgarian territory. The gas connection has the capacity to transfer 1.8 billion m3 of natural gas per year.