10.12.2019
"Most importantly, President Trump has understood that as NATO members, we are extremely loyal and exemplary partners and has encouraged us. Secondly, that the Balkan Stream and the interconnector with Greece are not in conflict, but are helping each other for achieving the true diversification of the entire region. And thirdly, that nuclear energy should not fall victim of any dogmas, especially when it comes to green energy, clean air, quality of life. "
This is what Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during his meeting with experts from the State Department and the Department of Energy of the US. Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova also took part in the talks.
A delegation of US energy experts arrived in Bulgaria to fulfill the agreements reached during Prime Minister Borissov's meeting with US President Donald Trump on November 25, 2019 in Washington.
"The future for coal plants is by no means pink, especially now that the European Commission is adopting the Green Europe Plan. So Belene and Kozloduy become two very important sites not only for diversification, but also for our energy balance for the future in 10 years, "Prime Minister Borisov told US energy experts. The prime minister added that he had defended his theses on the entire US leadership during his official visit to the White House - before President Trump, before Vice President Pence and before Secretary of State Pompeo.
„Никак не е розово бъдещето за въглищните централи, особено сега, когато ЕК приема плана за „Зелена Европа“. Така че „Белене“ и „Козлодуй“ стават две изключително важни площадки не само за диверсификацията, но и за енергийния ни баланс за бъдещето след 10 години“, подчерта министър-председателят Борисов пред енергийните експерти от САЩ. Премиерът добави, че тезите си по въпроса е защитил пред цялото ръководство на САЩ по време на официалното си посещение в Белия дом - пред президента Тръмп, пред вицепрезидента Пенс и пред държавния секретар Помпео.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Borissov also pointed out that the cooperation with the US will contribute for strengthening Bulgaria's energy security and diversification of energy sources and routes, including through the import of liquefied natural gas under favorable conditions for our country.
"Nuclear energy could be a good basis for developing a partnership between the two countries," the Prime Minister told US experts. Prime Minister Borissov noted that for Bulgaria nuclear energy plays an important role in ensuring national, regional and European energy security.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for US Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Ann Ganzer put an emphasis on the great meeting between Prime Minister Borissov and President Trump. "The people in Washington are still talking about it. You seem to have impressed them. My boss Christopher Ford, whom you met, was also left with a very good impression, "added Ganzer.
Yesterday the US energy experts visited the Belene NPP site. The purpose of their visit here is to get acquainted with the details of the the energy companies’ work in Bulgaria. Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova presented the technical parameters of the Belene NPP project to the delegation on Monday and put an emphasis on our country's experience in nuclear energy regarding the successful management of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant at the highest safety standards.
In the following days, US experts will visit the Maritsa East 2 TPP and the Kozloduy NPP.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Borissov a focus was put on the fact that the energy sector provides a wide field for cooperation between Bulgaria and the USA. The talks emphasised on the successful partnerships between the two countries, leading to progress in diversifying energy resources. This year our country received fo the first time deliveries of liquefied natural gas originating in the USA. The progress of the construction of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector was also noted as an energy infrastructure of strategic importance for security of supply in Southeast Europe.
