/ world today news/ The arrival of the first person of Gazprom – Alexey Miller – is expected in Bulgaria today. He will have to finalize the negotiations with our government for the South Stream gas pipeline.
Negotiations with Gazprom to sign the project contract are tense. Bulgaria is hoping for a new discount on the price of natural gas next year.
All countries in the South Stream project, except Bulgaria, have already accepted Gazprom’s conditions. The first sod of the pipeline is scheduled for December 7. However, without our signature, it cannot take place.
#Gazprom #coming #Bulgaria
How do the recent negotiations with Gazprom impact Bulgaria’s strategy for energy diversification?
Guest 1: Senior Energy Analyst from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy
Guest 2: CEO of an energy think tank in Sofia, Bulgaria
Section 1: Introduction and Context
Interviewer: Welcome to our live interview with two esteemed guests. Today, we’re discussing the upcoming arrival of Alexey Miller, Gazprom’s head honcho, and the ongoing negotiations for the South Stream pipeline. Let’s start with some background information. Could you please introduce yourselves and share your thoughts on the current state of energy cooperation between Bulgaria and Russia?
Guest 1: Certainly. My name is Ivan Petrov, Senior Energy Analyst at the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy. I’ve been following the South Stream negotiations closely, and I can say that they’ve been quite challenging. However, we remain optimistic about reaching an agreement that benefits both countries.
Guest 2: Hi, my name is Maria Nikolova. I’m the CEO of an energy think tank in Sofia. We’ve had a long-standing alliance with Russia when it comes to natural gas, but there’s been increasing pressure from the EU to diversify our energy sources. This visit from Mr. Miller is crucial to securing our energy future.
Section 2: Discussing the South Stream Project
Interviewer: Excellent, thank you both. Now, onto the main event. The South Stream pipeline promises a steady gas supply to Bulgaria and the rest of Southeastern Europe. What are the advantages and challenges of this project for Bulgaria in particular?
Guest 1: Well, the main advantage is increased energy security. Bulgaria has been heavily dependent on Russian gas for years, and having a dedicated pipeline reduces our vulnerability to supply disruptions. However, we are also seeking a discount on next year’s gas prices. This visit by Mr. Miller is crucial to finalize the negotiations, including the price concession. Otherwise, the project can’t move forward.
Guest 2: Absolutely, Maria. I’d also add that the EU is keeping a close eye on these negotiations. They’re concerned about Bulgaria’s energy independence and have expressed opposition to the South Stream project.
