Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, travelled to Bulgaria on Saturday to officially open a natural gas pipeline connecting that nation with Greece, reiterating the EU’s resolve to no longer rely on Russian energy imports.
Speaking at a ceremony in Sofia, von der Leyen praised the pipeline as a significant step in preventing Russia from using its oil and gas riches to threaten or blackmail the European Union.
“This project represents independence,” she continued, “and this pipeline improves the condition of energy security in Europe.”
According to Von der Leyen, the project will be funded with close to 250 million euros from the European Commission.
After Moscow chose to use natural gas supplies as a political weapon, the importance of the gas pipeline between Greece and Bulgaria, which was finished in July, increased significantly.
After Bulgaria rejected Moscow’s demand that it pay for exports in Russian rubles, Russia cut off its gas supply to Bulgaria in late April. The two former Soviet bloc allies’ ties have deteriorated recently, and Bulgaria last month requested the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats, which sparked a furious response from Moscow.
According to von der Leyen, “People in Bulgaria and around Europe are suffering as a result of the Russian war, but thanks to initiatives like these, Europe will have enough gas for the winter.” “Europe has all the tools necessary to end our reliance on Russia. It comes down to political will. “.
The 182-km line runs from the city of Komotini in northeastern Greece, where it joins the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, to Stara Zagora in central Bulgaria.
The project’s plans provide for a 3 billion cubic metre per year starting gas capacity that will be increased to 5 billion cubic metres in the future.
According to Teodora Georgieva, the project manager from Bulgaria, the pipeline will help feed other southeastern European nations.
We have the chance to provide gas to the Western Balkans and ensure supplies to Moldova and Ukraine, according to Georgieva.
A new gas pipeline between Greece and Bulgaria is opened by Europe.
About Author
