When Bulgaria will find a way to secure an alternative route for natural gas supplies other than the Russian ones now depends solely on Bulgaria. This is how one can summarize the energy aspects of the official visit of President Georgi Parvanov and Minister of Economy Traycho Traykov to Azerbaijani capital Baku that ended in the middle of last week.
During the bilateral meeting President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his country’s commitment to export 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Bulgaria annually. The relations with the European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures occupy an important place in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. We are interested in realization of energy and transport projects that connect our country and Europe. We have always demonstrated that we are a reliable partner. Azerbaijan is now ready to participate in the guaranteeing of the energy security in Europe. Bulgaria can be one of the first European countries that will receive Azerbaijani gas. Geographically it is located close to our natural gas resources in this direction we are currently leading very detailed negotiations, said President Aliyev.
In turn the Bulgarian head of state said: We (Ed. – together with Azerbaijan) should do a little breakthrough to show Europe what we can accomplish. Then we will see the greater, the larger projects taking shape as well as all plans for the construction of the South Gas Corridor. I would non the least jealous if my successor Mr. Rosen Plevneliev is even more active in his relations with President Aliyev, I would welcome it, President Parvanov said. The President pointed out that in his talks with his European counterparts he has raised the question of giving Azerbaijan the status of privileged partner of the EU.
Aside from diplomatic courtesy, practically the door to Azeri natural gas is already half open. Only a few days ago key political agreements between Azerbaijan and Turkey were made for transit of natural gas, which was the first prerequisite for transportation of the natural gas promised to Bulgaria. It is important to note that the supply of natural gas for our country will not need to wait for the realization of the second phase of development of the field Shahdeniz, which should be completed in 2018, because Azerbaijan has the quantities of natural gas Bulgaria want. For transportation of large volumes of Azerbaijani gas to European markets, however, one will still need to expand the existing gas infrastructure and build a new one and the great expectations in Brussels in this respect are connected to the Nabucco pipeline.
In this situation, the Trans-Caspian pipeline will be an additional opportunity for Bulgaria, because Turkey and Greece have already linked their gas systems. i.e. a final step to allow natural gas from Azerbaijan to reach our pipes is building the interconnector from Stara Zagora to Komotini.
The project is implemented by joint investment company ICGB registered in Sofia. Participants with 50% of the capital are Bulgarian Energy Holding and Greek-Italian company Poseidon.
Recent data show that the implementation of the interconnection is advancing. Already there is a contractor to prepare the technical design, assessment of environmental impacts and detailed development and land plot plan. According to the forecast of the Bulgarian Energy Holding, the pipe will be able to start regular deliveries in mid-2014 even though the Ministry of Economy has repeatedly insisted on 2013 as a deadline.
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