The belief that Greece and Bulgaria have, without a doubt, a huge potential to create together an energy hub for South-Eastern Europe, with importance not only regionally, but also wider, for the entire continent, expressed today, from Thessaloniki, the Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Industry, Bogtnan Bogtanov, characterizing energy security, the diversification of energy sources and the improvement of infrastructure as some of the main priorities of Greek-Bulgarian cooperation. During the opening of the Bulgarian pavilion at the 87th TIF, Mr. Bogtnanov also pointed out that Bulgaria will never forget the solidarity shown by Greece in 2022, providing it with access to energy, when the country’s gas supply from Russia was unexpectedly cut off . He added that Bulgaria also ensured energy security for Greece by reserving part of the natural gas storage capacity in Chiren (a village in the northwest of the country). “We are proud of our cooperation both at the economic and political level, which ensures security throughout the region of South East Europehe emphasized.

The possibility to contribute to the energy security and autonomy of the whole of Europe is given to Greece and Bulgaria even more by the two agreements signed for the same number of important developments in the energy sector, as pointed out by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis. It is about the implementation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline (this time with a reverse flow of oil compared to its original design, i.e. from Alexandroupolis to Burgas) and the storage of natural gas on the one hand in neighboring warehouses on behalf of Greece and on the other of corresponding amounts of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) in Revythoussa, on behalf of Bulgaria. Mr. Hatzidakis also pointed out that, in addition to the obvious assistance provided to Bulgaria after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a very important development in bilateral relations in the energy field was the start of the commercial operation of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector Pipeline (IGB), which “it has now been signed by the two prime ministers and is moving forward”.

Mr. Hatzidakis he made special mention of the two countries’ efforts to further upgrade all cross-border connections and rail and road transport, as well as the developments in the field of the Schengen Agreement, which – as he said – will bring the two countries even closer. He added that Bulgaria is a very important partner for Greece, more important than anyone who does not deal with the economy, trade or international relations can imagine, since the country is “the second most important destination for Greek exports and very important destination for Greek Direct Investments”. At the same time, he reminded, over 1 million Bulgarians, i.e. one eighth of the country’s population, visit Greece every year. Mr. Hatzidakis also expressed the assessment that there are many opportunities for further deepening of bilateral cooperation.

In the same vein, Mr. Bogtanov pointed out that Bulgaria’s presence at the 87th TIF provides significant opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation, at a time when trade between the two countries reached a record level of 5.9 billion euros last year , increased by approximately 30%, compared to 2021 and more than 18,000 Greek businesses have invested in the neighborhood. Mr. Bogdanov also reminded that the sectors in which Greek companies mainly invest are banking, retail and construction. In total in the last few years, Greek investments in Bulgaria have reached 3 billion euros, while last year Greece was the third largest investor in Bulgaria.

Mr. Bogtanov also noted that the Bulgarian presence at the 87th TIF aims, among other things, to highlight the potential of its companies in the fields of high technology, innovation and education, as well as energy and infrastructure, noting that among other things the “present » are given to the organization by the Insight technology Institute, which was created last year and was the first of its kind in Southeast Europe, the Sofia Technology Park, the digital education platform Telerik, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Technical University, as well as innovative companies, which highlight Bulgaria’s technological DNA, such as “Dronamics”, the first company to receive a European license for drone cargo transport, and “EnduroSat”, a leader in the production of satellite and space technology.

TEF

Turning obstacles into opportunities in transport and mobility

The Bulgarian Minister of Finance, Asen Vasilev, referred to the gradual removal of obstacles to travel between Greece and Bulgaria and to the moves being made for better road and rail connectivity in the period up to 2026 or 2028. “Historically, between Greece and Europe, there are two mountains, a river and for 45 years an iron curtain, in the territory of Bulgaria. In the latter, the last remaining pieces will hopefully be removed this year. But we didn’t do much to move through the two mountains and the river. But we are preparing an intergovernmental agreement with Greece and Romania, which will remove these obstacles and turn them into opportunities, so that we have highway connectivity and high-speed rail connectivity” he pointed out and added that these developments will allow Bulgarian and Greek businesses to work more easily together and better connect with Europe and will enable all Bulgarian citizens to enjoy the two countries as a common place, separated only by the signs “Welcome to Greece” and “Welcome to Bulgaria ». “The idea is to make it happen in the next three to five years, we are working very closely with the Greek government to make it happen, because this will allow citizens and businesses of Bulgaria, citizens and businesses of Greece to work together, to travel, to study, to move between the two countries freely, in the same way as it is done in Western Europe” he concluded.

It is recalled that the opening of the Bulgarian pavilion was to be performed by the Prime Ministers of Greece and Bulgaria (an honored country at the 87th TIF), Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikolai Denkof. However, the two Prime Ministers did not attend due to the tragic effects of the bad weather ‘Daniel’. Mr. Hatzidakis arrived at the TIF facilities shortly after 11 am today, the first day of operation of the event. He visited the administration building and met with the management of TIF – Helexpo SA, before heading to the stand of the honored country. Bulgaria also suffered damage from the bad weather. Commenting on the situation, Mr. Bogtanov emphasized: “In recent days, our two countries have been tested by natural disasters and floods. Condolences to the families of the victims. From such situations we can come out stronger.”