08.02.2022
“We have a great potential to create a single gas trade market. Our relations with Serbia, with the Republic of North Macedonia and with Greece can be brought under a common gas trade market.” This is what Prime Minister Kiril Petkov stated at a joint news conference with Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. Prime Minister Petkov is on an official visit to Serbia at the invitation of his Serbian counterpart.
“We must pull together our efforts towards maximal diversification: this will give us better prices and greater independence as well potential joint investments in nuclear facilities,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister pointed out. Prime Minister Petkov was firm that the energy connectivity in the region, and in particular gas connectivity, would be the Government’s top priority. Alongside, economic development needs to be promoted accordingly. “Our gas interconnection with Greece is a great priority for Bulgaria; its completion will give you direct access to liquefied natural gas and to Azeri gas via the interconnection with Serbia,” Kiril Petkov addressed Ana Brnabić.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister also stressed that the completion of the Europe Motorway (A6) would be a top priority for Bulgaria. Prime Minister Petkov added that he and his Serbian counterpart had discussed, inter alia, the modernization of other roads connecting the two countries such as the Vidin-Zaječar road that would promote the development of the Northwest Region.
At the news conference Kiril Petkov stressed that bilateral cooperation would be strengthened in the fields of investment, innovation and tourism between Bulgaria and Serbia.
Kiril Petkov reiterated Bulgaria’s support for Serbia’s European integration. “With us by your side, you will have a friend, in addition to a supportive partner,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister said firmly.
“You will get full support from the Government of the Republic of Serbia to work together so as to make relations between our two countries even stronger and even better.” This is what Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabić stated at the joint news conference. Serbia’s Prime Minister emphasized that bilateral political and economic cooperation is excellent yet it can be furthered in particular in the sectors of trade, economy and joint investment.
Mrs. Brnabić thanked Mr. Petkov for choosing Serbia to be one of the first countries to make an official visit to after the assumption of the office of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Along with his recent visit to Skopje, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister is giving a clear signal of attention to the European integration of the Western Balkans.
Serbia’s Prime Minister reported that today she and her Bulgarian counterpart discussed the possibility for organizing a bilateral specialized business forum to be held in September this year either in Pirot or in Dimitrovgrad. The event will give an opportunity to present the potential for joint investment and for close contacts between businesses on both sides of the border.
It is very important to emphasize that despite the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 our bilateral trade achieved a record level, Serbia’s Prime Minister said. Also, Ana Brnabić thanked for Bulgaria’s support to Serbia on its path to European integration.
Within his visit to Belgrade Prime Minister Petkov called on Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić. They discussed the construction of the motorway from Kalotina border-crossing checkpoint to Sofia, the work of the Department of Bulgarian Language at the University of Belgrade, the rights of Bulgarians in the Western Outlands, cooperation in the energy and transport sectors and the promotion of entrepreneurship. Mr. Petkov thanked the Serbian authorities for their efforts to integrate the Bulgarian national minority.
Members of the official delegation accompanying Prime Minister Petkov are: Alexander Nikolov, Minister of Energy; Lena Borislavova, Head of the Prime Minister’s Political Cabinet; and Vasil Georgiev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
