Bulgaria Asks EU for Stronger Focus on Balkans

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov asked Commissioner for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič to pay more attention to energy security issues in the Balkan country, underlining that Sofia wants to build its gas networks on the basis of European legislation despite some tangible discontent for recent developments.

“Unfortunately, I see that last year these problems, especially those relating to South Stream, were not agreed with the EC. It is now that the Commission started asking questions and requesting documents to become familiar with what was done in Bulgaria. I do not know how one gives a power of attorney to someone else to represent them, without giving them the tools to do that,” Prime Minister Borissov said in a note released after the meeting with European Union officials on Monday. 

The parts agreed on the need to increase integration of the region, but they did not set up deadlines, simply stating that the High Level Working Group should start activities without delay. 

In his statement released in the late afternoon, Borissov restated he wants South Stream to arrive in Bulgaria. This would allow the country to become a gas hub. Moreover, in coordination with the European Commission, Sofia would work on local networks to take advantage of blocks Khan Asparuh, Teres, Silistar in the Black Sea and other sources. 

An article published by EurActiv on Tuesday suggests that the majority of Bulgarians (58%) back a pipeline from Russia. The author underlined the common roots of Bulgaria and Russia, implicitly suggesting that Moscow could take advantage of said similarities to exert some influence in the European country.