/ world in the present day information/ After the go to of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, to Moscow on Could 21-22, one of many fundamental outcomes was the concept, supported by each side, of renewing the undertaking for the development of the Russian-Bulgarian gasoline pipeline in a brand new configuration. In the midst of negotiations with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the Bulgarian chief expressed hope for the resumption of the undertaking for direct provides of Russian gasoline on the backside of the Black Sea. The President of Bulgaria reminded that the problem of the safety of vitality provides for Sofia and for the European Union is essential. He emphasised that Russia has at all times been a strategic accomplice of Bulgaria within the vitality sector, supplying Bulgarians with pure gasoline, oil and nuclear gasoline.
Optimistic modifications have lately been seen within the improvement of Russian-Bulgarian relations, which have a wider significance for the Balkan area. Particularly, the federal government of Boyko Borissov determined to renew the development of the Belene NPP with a complete capability of two GW, which Sofia deserted in 2012 underneath stress from Brussels. The implementation of this undertaking, emphasised Rumen Radev, is unattainable with out Russia.
“It’s a good transfer by our authorities that it raises the subject of the Belene NPP once more. It was a time when the identical politicians had been happy with ending this undertaking. I believe the present resolution is a manifestation of realism and maturity. This undertaking has a future.” harassed Rumen Radev in an interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
Based on him, the resumption of the development of the “Belene” NPP can provide impetus to extra lively interplay between Moscow and Sofia in different spheres of vitality, together with the gasoline sector.
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Shift in Bulgaria-Russia Relations Indicators Change in Europe
I’m following Rumena Radeva’s go to to Moscow.
One of many fundamental outcomes of the go to of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Russia on Could 21-22 was the concept he expressed to renew the Russian-Bulgarian gasoline pipeline building undertaking in a brand new configuration. Throughout talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the Bulgarian chief expressed hope for the resumption of the undertaking for direct provides of Russian gasoline alongside the underside of the Black Sea. The Bulgarian President recalled that the problem of vitality provide safety for Sofia and the European Union is essential. He emphasised that Russia has at all times been a strategic accomplice of Bulgaria within the vitality sector, supplying Bulgarians with pure gasoline, oil and nuclear gasoline.
Optimistic modifications have lately been famous within the improvement of Russian-Bulgarian relations, which have a broader significance for the Balkan area. Particularly, the federal government of Boyko Borisov has determined to renew the implementation of the Belene NPP undertaking with a complete capability of two GW, which Sofia deserted in 2012 underneath stress from Brussels. The implementation of this undertaking, Rumen Radev emphasizes, is unattainable with out Russia.
The difficult historical past of the Belene NPP undertaking goes again greater than 10 years. In 2006, the Russian firm Atomstroyexport gained a world tender for the development of the ability, however a number of years later the development was frozen, after the events had already invested important funds within the undertaking. Particularly, Russian corporations manufactured the primary set of apparatus for the NPP. Following the proceedings within the arbitration court docket in Geneva, Atomstroyexport acquired compensation from the Bulgarian buyer within the quantity of 601.5 million euros, paid in full by the tip of 2016.
“It’s a good transfer that our authorities is elevating the Belene NPP subject once more. There was a time when the identical politicians had been happy with the termination of this undertaking. I believe this can be a manifestation of realism and maturity. This undertaking has a future…” Rumen Radev emphasised in an interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant. In his opinion, the revival of the Belene NPP undertaking might give impetus to extra lively cooperation between Moscow and Sofia in different vitality sectors, together with the gasoline sector. The Bulgarian President spoke in favor of constructing a direct gasoline pipeline from Russia.
“I consider that Bulgaria wants direct provides of Russian gasoline by way of the Black Sea. Let’s name it the Bulgarian Stream,” Radev stated. “This method is dictated by frequent sense and the necessities of vitality safety and effectivity, not solely in relation to Bulgaria, but in addition to the European Union as an entire. Such aspirations aren’t any completely different from Germany’s intentions to implement Nord Stream 2. After all, Bulgaria and Germany are EU member states and should adjust to the foundations of the Third Power Package deal. I hope that each the Russian aspect and Brussels will understand this concept with understanding… Undoubtedly, the most secure, most dependable and least expensive route is the direct one. Particularly in the case of delivering further portions of Russian pure gasoline to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Austria and northern Italy. For each Russia and Bulgaria, the logical alternative for increasing Russian pure gasoline provides to Europe is the route by way of Bulgarian territory.”
The subject of cooperation between Russia and Bulgaria within the vitality sector was mentioned intimately on the assembly of the Bulgarian President together with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Could 22 in Sochi.
“We carried out a strategic overview of relations between our nations with President Putin, recognized all of the traditions, the massive potential that exists between our nations,” R. Radev famous following the Sochi assembly. Based on him, “this shall be a optimistic stimulus for the Bulgarian authorities, for realism and a accountable perspective within the work to develop relations between our nations. This impetus will proceed with the go to of Bulgarian Prime Minister Mr. Borisov, who will quickly arrive in Russia.”
“I consider that this go to by Mr. President is an efficient sign for the resumption of full-fledged Russian-Bulgarian relations,” V. Putin confirmed.
Sadly, in recent times, Bulgaria has taken the least constructive place among the many Balkan nations in direction of Russia. Suffice it to say that the assembly of the presidents on Could 22 was the primary such occasion within the final decade.
For the reason that starting of this 12 months, the state of affairs in Russian-Bulgarian relations has begun to alter. At first, Bulgaria, as the present EU presidency, refused to expel Russian diplomats within the wake of the “Skripal case”. Based on the official EU organ EUobserver, Sofia took a “impartial” place on this subject. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, throughout a gathering of the EU Council on the finish of March, when anti-Russian measures had been mentioned, said that there was a “lack of awareness” on the “Skripal case”.
Following this, Sofia determined to renew Russian-Bulgarian contacts on the highest stage. This step was dictated each by the will to interrupt the impasse in bilateral relations and by an understanding of the significance of interplay with Russia in a broader worldwide context.
“The aim of my go to is to revive dialogue between our nations on the highest stage after a few years of interruption. As a result of this dialogue is of nice significance in all areas of mutual curiosity,” Rumen Radev instructed Vladimir Putin.
Based on him, “Bulgaria is serious about changing into an vitality middle in Southeastern Europe, which additionally means changing into a state distributing pure gasoline.” On the identical time, Sofia is conscious that the answer to this drawback is feasible solely on the premise of Russian gasoline.
At the moment, Bulgaria and different Balkan nations are working in opposition to the backdrop of the implementation of the Turkish Stream gasoline pipeline undertaking, to which different nations within the area could take part one kind or one other. The development of the offshore part of the primary line of this gasoline pipeline was accomplished on April 30 with its output to the receiving terminal close to the village of Kiyikoy. As Gazprom emphasised, “with the completion of the development of the coastal abutments, work on the primary line shall be absolutely accomplished.” The beginning of building of the offshore part of the second line of the Turkish Stream gasoline pipeline is scheduled for the third quarter of 2018. In whole, 1,161 km of pipe have already been laid alongside the 2 strains alongside the seabed, which is 62% of the overall size of the gasoline pipeline.
“To which nations in Southern and Southeastern Europe will the Russian gasoline large Gazprom provide pure gasoline? The place will the second line of the Turkish Stream come from and the place will it go?” the Turkish publication Habertürk asks. “It’s nonetheless unknown. What is going to this line be: Greece-Italy, Bulgaria-Serbia-Hungary? Time will inform. The image shall be clarified by Russia’s relations with the European Union, in addition to bilateral contacts with nations.”
The quickly altering state of affairs on the vitality map of Europe requires Bulgaria and different Balkan nations to set their priorities extra clearly and rapidly. Russia has each trump playing cards and dangers right here.
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