SOFIA: The President of the Executive of the European Union (EU) visited Bulgaria on Saturday for the opening of a gas link between the country and Greece, underlining the EU’s determination to no longer depend on Russian energy imports.
At a ceremony in Sofia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the pipeline as an important contribution to limiting opportunities for Russia to use its gas and oil reserves to blackmail or punish the EU.
“This gas pipeline changes the situation of energy security for Europe. This project is synonymous with freedom”, by last Leyen told an audience that included heads of state and government from the region.
The European Commission has committed nearly 250 million euros to fund the project, von der Leyen said.
The importance of the Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector pipeline, completed in July, has risen dramatically after Moscow decided to turn its natural gas supplies into a political weapon.
In late April, Russia cut gas supplies to Bulgaria after refusing Moscow’s request to pay for deliveries in roubles, the Russian currency. Relations between the two former Soviet bloc allies have soured in recent months and last month Bulgaria ordered the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats, sparking an angry reaction from Moscow.
“People in Bulgaria and all over Europe are feeling the consequences of Russia’s war. But thanks to projects like this, Europe will have enough gas for the winter,” von der Leyen said. “Europe has everything it needs to break free from our dependence on Russia. It’s a matter of political will.
The 182 kilometer (115 mile) conduit runs from the Greek town of Komotini in northeastern Greece, where it connects to the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline, to Stara Zagora in central Bulgaria. The plans foresee an initial capacity of 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year, and the prospect of a future extension to 5 billion cubic meters.
The project’s Bulgarian executive, Teodora Georgiavasaid the pipeline would help supply other countries in southeastern Europe.
“We have the possibility to supply gas to the Western Balkans, to ensure the supply of Moldova and Ukraine,” Georgieva said.
At a ceremony in Sofia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the pipeline as an important contribution to limiting opportunities for Russia to use its gas and oil reserves to blackmail or punish the EU.
“This gas pipeline changes the situation of energy security for Europe. This project is synonymous with freedom”, by last Leyen told an audience that included heads of state and government from the region.
The European Commission has committed nearly 250 million euros to fund the project, von der Leyen said.
The importance of the Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector pipeline, completed in July, has risen dramatically after Moscow decided to turn its natural gas supplies into a political weapon.
In late April, Russia cut gas supplies to Bulgaria after refusing Moscow’s request to pay for deliveries in roubles, the Russian currency. Relations between the two former Soviet bloc allies have soured in recent months and last month Bulgaria ordered the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats, sparking an angry reaction from Moscow.
“People in Bulgaria and all over Europe are feeling the consequences of Russia’s war. But thanks to projects like this, Europe will have enough gas for the winter,” von der Leyen said. “Europe has everything it needs to break free from our dependence on Russia. It’s a matter of political will.
The 182 kilometer (115 mile) conduit runs from the Greek town of Komotini in northeastern Greece, where it connects to the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline, to Stara Zagora in central Bulgaria. The plans foresee an initial capacity of 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year, and the prospect of a future extension to 5 billion cubic meters.
The project’s Bulgarian executive, Teodora Georgiavasaid the pipeline would help supply other countries in southeastern Europe.
“We have the possibility to supply gas to the Western Balkans, to ensure the supply of Moldova and Ukraine,” Georgieva said.
