site.btaBulgarian Government Delegation, Greek PM Mitsotakis Discuss Energy Connectivity

Energy connectivity and the security of natural gas supplies was a main topic of discussion during a Bulgarian Government delegation's meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, the Bulgarian Government's information service reported. The delegation's visit came at the Greek Government's invitation and was headed by Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev. It also included Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance Kalina Konstantinova, Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov and Minister of e-Government Bozhidar Bozhanov. 

Assen Vassilev noted the importance of energy connectivity in the region for improving the security of natural gas supplies, especially in view of the escalating tension in Ukraine. He expressed the Bulgarian Government's belief that work on completing the gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece will be completed as soon as possible. "We are ready to work together with Greece on the electricity supply and to guarantee that the supply will not be interrupted," the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister said. 

The Greek Prime Minister said that the Bulgarian ministers' visit comes at a critical moment, which requires coordination and interaction within the EU and NATO. Russia's recognition of the "independence" of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics is a violation of international law, Ukraine's territorial integrity and the Minsk Agreement, Mitsotakis said. One of the possible negative effects of the Ukraine crisis's escalation is in the energy sector, the Greek Prime Minister commented. The two sides agreed that they will work in close cooperation in this difficult situation in order to guarantee the uninterrupted natural gas supply. 

The meeting also focused on the implementation of joint infrastructure, transport and energy projects, as well as digital networks of strategic nature for both countries as well as the whole region's development. The excellent level of Bulgarian-Greek relations and the common will to further deepen them was underscored. 

The Bulgarian delegation also had meetings with Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, Alternate Minister for Fiscal Policy Theodoros Skylakakis, Ministers of State Giorgos Gerapetritis and Akis Skertsos, as well as Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas. 

The two sides expressed joint support for the Western Balkans' European integration.