Minister Zhecho Stankov and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen discussed the implementation of key infrastructure projects for the region
Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov and Dan Jorgensen, Commissioner for Energy in the European Commission, discussed the implementation of key infrastructure projects for the region. At the meeting, which took place in Brussels, the two stressed the need to strengthen electricity and gas interconnection. The accelerated construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor was therefore discussed. The Green Energy Corridor initiative was also discussed, based on the established strategic partnership in the field of green energy between the governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary. Bulgaria has supported the project from its inception and has received a joint invitation to join the agreement between the four countries. The project is strategic for strengthening regional and national energy security and Bulgaria can play an important role in it. At the same time, opportunities for strengthening regional energy cooperation between Bulgaria, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia are discussed, with a focus on the transmission and trade of green electricity.
The meeting focused on the need to implement long-term solutions to ensure affordable energy prices at national and regional level. "If the EU increases its ambitions without giving the markets time to adapt, the burden will be paid by the taxpayers", Minister Stankov said. He expressed his disagreement with such an approach, which is also contrary to the objectives of the EU's competitiveness compass.
During the meeting, Minister Stankov presented the government's leading priorities in the energy sector, which will be included in the government's programme. "Bulgaria will work to diversify energy sources, develop nuclear energy and green technologies, as well as to increase energy efficiency," he said.
Challenges to the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan were also discussed. Minister Stankov found a number of blocked reforms in the energy sector that put the second payment under the plan at risk. "The unblocking of the RRP should be a joint effort between Bulgaria and the EC and would be a success for both sides", Minister Stankov said. In his words, given the limited time, the government has taken steps to address the challenges in the most effective way possible for the country.
During his two-day working visit in Brussels, the energy minister also held meetings with the Director General of DG Energy at the European Commission, Ditte Jorgensen, with the Advisor on the European Green Deal to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Mr. Peter Van Kemseke, and with the Head of Cabinet of Theresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, Mr. Miguel Gilles Tertr.
By the end of the day, Minister Stankov will hold talks with Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and with EPP MEP Andrey Novakov. The meetings will discuss the current policy perspectives of the European Union in the field of national level initiatives.
