One of the best news for Bulgaria, a result of the efforts of the government of "We continue the change

Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev presented their political project "We continue the change", is that from October 1 the key project for real gas diversification of the country - the interconnector with Greece - will be put into operation. For people, this means that cheaper gas will reach the country Azeri gas before the start of the heating season, which was the commitment made by the Petkov cabinet in the last days of its administration.

Let's recall the 9 steps of the Change to the successful start of the project:

1. December 20, 2021 - Only 7 days after the Petkov Cabinet took office, the first official meeting between the Prime Ministers of Bulgaria and Greece - Kiril Petkov and Kyriakos Mitsotakis - takes place.

The Greek Prime Minister is the first high-ranking guest of the new Bulgarian Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Petkov thanked his Greek counterpart for prioritizing the completion of the interconnector gas connection between the two countries.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: "We can say that from now on Athens and Sofia are starting a new stage of cooperation."

By the time the Petkov cabinet took office, the management of Bulgargaz, appointed by GERB, had already 2 times renounced in writing the amounts of Azeri gas owed to Bulgaria at a favorable price under the pretext that the Greek connection was not completed.

2. March 2022 - Interconnector construction progress check.

Weekly talks between Petkov and Mitsotakis and reports showing the steps taken on a weekly basis.

In May of this year, after difficult political negotiations and despite Bulgargaz's written refusal to receive more profitable Azeri gas, Prime Minister Petkov managed to negotiate the full amount of Azeri gas to reach Bulgarian consumers through the Kulata-Siderokastro connection.

Bulgaria finally starts receiving 1 bcm of blue fuel from a new supplier at a favorable price under a long-term contract.

3. June 30, 2022 - By the end of June, the linear part of the project is fully completed.

All pipes are welded, laid, sealed and hydrotested.

4. July 1, 2022 - The operator of the gas connection between Bulgaria and Greece - "ICGB" AD (ICGB) - has been certified as a transport operator by the energy regulators of both countries.

This is one of the requirements before the gas interconnection can be put into commercial operation.

5. 08 July 2022 - In the area of ​​the city of Komotini, at the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the ceremony for the completion of the construction of the intersystem gas connection between Greece and Bulgaria is being held.

Kiril Petkov, then prime minister in resignation, stated: “The interconnector will transform the energy map of the region.

Bulgaria achieves real diversification by ending the Russian energy monopoly".

The Prime Minister of Greece Mitsotakis says: "Today is a very important moment for Komotini, Greece and Bulgaria.

This moment is important for the Balkans and Europe, because here in a little while we will not hold a ceremony for the launch of just one gas pipeline, but a project that brings Greece and Bulgaria closer together.

6. July 29, 2022 – The Interconnector receives Act 14. The Petkov cabinet prepares the handover of the project to the caretaker government with clear deadlines for the next steps.

The gas interconnector with Greece received ACT 16

7. August 2, 2022 - The Petkov Cabinet hands over the Interconnector to the Interim Government with 40 bar pressure in the pipes, with only final construction work remaining.

The next day, the caretaker government held a press conference where it spoke of chaos and destruction in the energy sector, to be managed with a 24/7 crisis headquarters.

In the name of the national interest of Bulgaria, "We continue the change

Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev presented their political project "We are continuing the change", calling for the project not to be artificially delayed.

8. The Cabinet continues to work on the project according to the steps outlined by the Change.

On September 28, the site received Act 16, confirming the initial plans to put the gas connection into operation before the start of the heating season.

The Interconnector officially opens on October 1.

However, its maximum capacity could reach 5 billion cubic meters per year thanks to synergies with existing and planned LNG terminals in the region.

9. The executive director of Bulgargaz, Denitsa Zlateva, submits a request for a 30% reduction in the price of gas for November 2022, which she substantiates with the fact that the interconnector with Greece is expected to start operating from October 1, which will supply more cheap Azeri gas.

This is the main reason why this project is among the main priorities of the Change government.

For 10 years, the management of GERB failed to complete the gas connection with Greece.

On the other hand, BGN 3 billion was quickly and easily spent on the construction of "Turkish Stream", from which not a single molecule of gas reaches Bulgaria.

With its first steps, the Change has shown that the country's key gas diversification project can be brought to the final right in just 7 months.

On October 2, the choice is between going back to the failed transition policy, or moving forward together - with number 9 - to a changed Bulgaria!

We continue the change

Greece

interconnector

diversification