On 28 June the Shah Deniz consortium officially announced the choice of the Trans Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP) for the transit of natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe. I consider this decision as only the first stage of the construction of the South gas corridor. At the same time I believe that the Nabucco West project preserves its strategic importance for diversifying and guaranteeing the energy security in Europe. Through the inter-connector and gas depots systems this project integrates the markets of the South-East Europe countries, including the West Balkans, Central and West Europe. In terms of resources, this project relies on deposits in the Caspian Sea, central Asia, Iraq, the East Mediterranean region and the Black Sea, which are in the process of prospecting or forthcoming operation. Therefore Bulgaria together with its partners must continue to seek technical and investment decisions for implementing the project. I consider that both projects, TAP and Nabucco West, have their place on Europe’s energy map and can be implemented.

The decision made by the Shah Deniz consortium necessitates that the competent Bulgarian authorities make a reassessment of the project for an inter-connector link between Bulgaria and Greece and adapt it to the new realities for a connection with the TAP pipeline so as to guarantee the supplies of Caspian gas to Bulgaria and to overcome Bulgaria’s monopoly dependence on one supplier and one pipeline. In the talks held with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev recently, the readiness to supply one billion cubic meters of gas was expressed. Therefore the inter-connector link is becoming a strategic project for guaranteeing Bulgaria’s energy diversification and it will be beneficial if Bulgaria launches prompt negotiations with the Shah Deniz consortium, the Greek partners and the European Commission to guarantee the implementation of the project.