Bulgaria supports efforts to put the project into regular operation as soon as possible, Head of State says

The Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector is a project of major importance not only for deepening the strategic partnership between our countries, but also for achieving real diversification of energy supplies to Bulgaria and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This is what President Rumen Radev said at the beginning of the meeting with the owner and the management of the Avax construction company building the interconnector with Greece, and with the management of the ICGB AD project company contracting the construction. The clarification of the project state of play and the necessary actions for its quick and efficient completion were the focus of the discussion. The meeting was attended by Vice President Iliana Iotova, caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev, caretaker Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov and caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Shishkov.

The Head of State highlighted the importance of the IGB project in ensuring the stable economic development of Bulgaria, as well as in supporting the European policy to strengthen the independence and security of energy supplies. With the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis we have always concurred on the importance of this project and on its timely construction, Rumen Radev stressed. In the President's words, the importance of this project in the conditions of a severe global energy crisis, limited supplies and rising prices will only grow in the future and Bulgaria will support the efforts to put it into regular operation as soon as possible.

Consequently, the Head of State expressed hope that the remaining IGB completion works, including the integration of the command and control system and the construction and installation works for its safe operation, would be completed in accordance with the national and European legislation and with the full mobilisation of both the builder, Avax, and the contracting company, ICGB AD, as well as with the support of the Bulgarian government.

Antonios Mitzalis, owner of Avax, assured that the company is aware of how important this project is for Bulgaria and the region and is working hard to complete it successfully. According to him, the company has made a time estimate and the works will be completed in the most expeditious manner in the first weeks of September. Mitzalis said the company will provide a two-year warranty period, during which the maintenance of the interconnector will also be carried out.

The project is on the final straight, said ICGB AD Executive Officer Teodora Georgieva. We expect the project to be handed over to us by the builder ready for operation, in line with all requirements in the legislation in Bulgaria, Georgieva added. According to her, the main works have been completed but there are ancillary works that are mandatory before the project can be commissioned.