The project for gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece, also known as IGB is of key significance for the two countries, as well as for the Balkans and Europe as a whole, because it would contribute to the diversification and the security of gas supplies.

Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov, Greece’s Premier Alexis Tsipras and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Premier Yaqub Eyyubov (the country which will fill 1/3 of the capacity of the future gas pipe, or over 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year) turned the first sod of the gas interconnector in the village of Kirkovo situated five kilometers away from the Bulgaria-Greece border. Greece’s Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Sofia Justin Friedman also attended the event.

The first sod of the gas interconnector became possible thanks to the efforts of all parties concerned, which provided additional financing under the Innovations and Competitiveness operational programme to the tune of EUR 39 million, a state guarantee of the Bulgarian government amounting to EUR 110 million and the European Commission’s approval for lawful state aid, Teodora Georgieva, Executive Director and Board Member of ICGB Bulgaria said.

We have already selected the contractors, the engineer consultants and the building supervision. The capacity of the interconnector that would ensure excellent start of the pipelines’ exploitation has been reserved. The gas interconnector is the agent of change we have long sought and its fulfillment will make Bulgaria stronger in the energy policy field. I can assure you that the fulfillment of the project has been going according to plan. It follows the objectives set and takes the voted budget into account, Executive Officer of ICGB Konstantinos Karayannakos said.

This is a historical moment for all Europeans, the Vice President of the European Commission for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič, who greeted the people attending the event, said in a video message. IGB is a European project which is important for the strategy of the Energy Union and enjoys solidarity, political and economic support of the EU member states which will benefit from its functioning based on the common interest. This project will also influence the global energy market. It will create new jobs and bring the economies of the EU countries closer, Maroš Šefčovič added.

Greece’s Premier Alexis Tsipras summarized the vision of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia. We are talking about a “ring of connectivity” which would turn the Balkans from a zone of conflicts, nationalism and insecurity into a peaceful and prosperous region through a cleaner type of energy (the natural gas). According to Alexis Tsipras, this will become possible when transport and trade links to the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine and Turkey are built and when IGB is connected with other gas projects such as TAP, EastMed, Turkish Stream and the LNG terminals in Alexandroupolis and Revitusa.

In return, Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov underlined that he was keeping his promises and that his slogan is “From Words to Action”. In his view, the gas pipelines should be called Balkan pipelines and reminded that two large gas pipelines, a gas hub, gas storage facilities with larger capacity are built on Bulgarian territory. Meanwhile, Bulgaria has its own gas deposit fields, uses liquefied gas from the USA, builds motorways, railway lines, bridges and ports. The market determines the price of fuel and we buy the cheapest gas offered on the market when we have different gas pipelines.

The Premiers of Bulgaria and Greece underlined that the two countries managed to turn the page of the past when they were hostile countries and have become good friends, did excellent job together and want to continue in the same spirit and serve as an example to the other countries. Finally, the two Premiers turned the first sod of the Bulgaria-Greece interconnector.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov