Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov signed in Brussels the Agreement on the implementation of the gas interconnection between Serbia and Bulgaria, worth €120 million.
Dacic, who is on a working visit to Brussels, said after the signing of the document that the funds for the construction of the pipeline, with a total length of 180 kilometres and an annual capacity of 1.8 billion cubic meters, will be provided by the EU.
The Prime Minister stressed that the aim of this project is to avoid the repetition of the crisis from 2009 when large parts of Southeast Europe, including Serbia and Bulgaria, were affected by the disruption of gas supplies.
He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the signing of this agreement in Brussels came immediately after the conclusions of the EU Council which give prospects to Serbia to start membership negotiations with the EU by the end of June next year.
As the construction of the pipeline draws to an end, our country will be closer to the EU, Dacic said, adding that the signing of this document will enable the two friendly countries and the two friendly nations to become even closer.
The Prime Minister underlined that this project is of great importance for both countries, and added that Serbia, in addition to Bulgaria, is one of the few countries that has a developed gas market, even though it has only one way of delivering gas – from Hungary.
Dacic said that Serbia, in the event of any damage or problems with the delivery of gas from Hungary, will have a backup route for gas supply.
Borisov underlined that for the entire Balkans it is very important that Serbia embarks on the European road as soon as possible, and added that the European Commission financially supports the project, but it should also continue to support Serbia.
We have always been brotherly peoples, and the construction of motorways, railways and pipelines will make us even closer, he said.
The signing of the agreement was also attended by European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger.
Source Serbia Gov.
