14.06.2021
Prime Minister Stefan Yanev met H. E. Mr. Dimitrios Chronopoulos, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Bulgaria. The Prime Minister and the Ambassador noted that the two countries are strategic partners and discussed ways to promote strategic relations by means of intensive political dialog and concerted efforts on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Dimitrios Chronopoulos vowed the Greek Government’s full political support to the Bulgarian Government and stressed that the two countries are members of one and same interest group within the region. The Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic expressed satisfaction with the invitation to his country to participate as a guest at the Three Seas Initiative Summit.
Prime Minister Stefan Yanev reiterated the Bulgarian Government’s support for all joint Bulgarian-Greek business, infrastructure and energy projects that are of strategic importance both for the two countries and for the whole European Union.
During the meeting, the main emphasis was placed on the prospects for more efficient cooperation in the energy sector as well as on the opportunities to increase Greek investment in Bulgaria, including, inter alia, the renewable energy sources.
The focus of the discussion was the completion of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB). Prime Minister Stefan Yanev noted that the IGB is a key priority for the Bulgarian Government. The completion of the interconnector and the installation of the scheduled Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal (LNG Terminal) in Alexandroupolis are of strategic importance not only for Bulgaria but also for the whole region, as this will lead to the real diversification of natural gas sources and supply routes. Work is in progress and it is expected the gas pipeline would be completed by 31 December 2021. The LNG Terminal in Alexandroupolis with a shareholder Bulgartransgaz EAD that holds 20% of the shares is expected to be put into operation in 2023.
Prime Minister Stefan Yanev and Ambassador Dimitrios Chronopoulos expressed satisfaction that Bulgaria and Greece were among the first EU members that were equipped to start issuing and recognizing EU Digital COVID-19 Certificates (EU DCC) which would facilitate travel. Prime Minister Yanev noted that it would be of great benefit for business and tourism if all border crossing checkpoints between the two countries were opened for all arrivals.
Attention was also given to the challenges confronting the enlargement of the European Union with regard to the accession of the Western Balkans countries, in particular the Republic of North Macedonia. Prime Minister Stefan Yanev stressed Bulgaria’s invariably earnest will and effort to have a constructive and pragmatic dialog with the Republic of North Macedonia and to continue this course. In response, the Greek Ambassador expressed understanding for the Bulgarian position.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister availed himself of the opportunity to thank the Greek authorities for their assistance to enable smooth parliamentary elections to be held on 11 July in the Greek territory.
