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The gas terminal in Alexandroupolis should be operational by October, Radev said after a meeting with Mitsotakis

by AI | 03.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Sofia and Athens are urgently discussing the activation of work on strategic projects

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (left) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held talks in Athens. Photo: Minko Chernev/BTA

ATHENS – Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the urgent need to accelerate work on strategic projects between the two countries at a working meeting in Athens, Greece. At a briefing after the meeting, President Radev stated that such a strategic project is the liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis, which is expected to be operational by October at the latest.

“In recent years, we have built excellent relationships at the highest political level, which has helped us to activate a number of important economic projects. The problem is that we still cannot fully leverage these excellent political relations,” the Bulgarian head of state said.

The liquefied gas terminal near Alexandroupolis still has technical issues that are being addressed. The forecasts suggest that the terminal will be operational by October at the latest. Bulgaria is participating in the project by acquiring 20 percent of it, Radev added.

The implementation of the project is one of the main priorities for Bulgaria, Acting Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov said, as through its infrastructure, deliveries of liquefied gas from the USA and others are expected for consumers in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The initial schedule planned for the infrastructure to be put into operation this April. After the activities to connect the liquefied gas platform to the pipeline began, a technical defect was found.

“I believe that decisive measures should be taken by ‘Gastrade’ to eliminate the defect and put the facility into operation within the current calendar year. Further delay is absolutely unacceptable considering the strategic importance of the terminal for securing energy supplies for the region,” Malinov said.

According to him, after the potential cessation of the transportation of Russian natural gas through Ukrainian territory from the beginning of next year, alternative deliveries will play a leading role in Europe’s energy system.

A plan with technical solutions for the earliest possible commissioning is expected by July 15. (July 2)