Solidarity within the EU is key to developing energy infrastructure in Southeastern Europe, said Deputy Energy Minister Anton Pavlov at an EU Energy Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, where he presented Bulgaria's position.
The meeting discussed headway under the Energy Security Strategy which is aimed at boosting EU's capacity to tackle disruption risks to natural gas supplies.
Bulgaria supports joint efforts at reducing Europe's energy dependence, improving energy security and ensuring affordable energy for EU citizens. Bulgaria's top priorities include guaranteeing security of gas supplies through diversification of sources and routes, said Pavlov.
According to him, the modernization of the existing gas infrastructure in Southeastern Europe and the construction of new infrastructure is extremely important. Pavlov underscored that efforts to overcome energy dependence require adequate financial assistance by the EU.
Bulgaria's position is that energy security should be discussed within a broader context which includes diversification of energy supplies and optimum use of local resources to improve energy efficiency. In Luxembourg, EU energy ministers adopted a conclusion on the implementation of the Energy Union Framework Strategy.
