Bulgaria and Serbia to cooperate for energy connectivity and European integration of the Western Balkans

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on February 8 met with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. The two prime ministers held a joint press conference in Belgrade. Petkov announced that in June the gas link with Greece will be completed, and Azeri and liquefied natural gas can be transported to Serbia. In addition to energy cooperation, the talks with the Serbian leaders focused on the European integration of Serbia and the Western Balkans.

"Our bilateral cooperation is excellent, but I believe it can become even better, especially when we talk about trade and economy. I want to thank you for Serbia being among the first countries you visit. This is also the first official visit of a Bulgarian prime minister to Serbia since 2012. And the fact that your first visit was to the Republic of North Macedonia shows how much you personally, as a prime minister, devote your attention to the Western Balkans and their European integration," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said.

The two prime ministers discussed the gas link that Serbia started building to Bulgaria in February and which is scheduled to be ready in 2023. Te modernisation of the railway line from Nis to the Bulgarian border will start later this year and Bulgaria is expected to complete its “Europe” Motorway from Sofia to Kalotina.

They also discussed a possible common regional gas market, so that Bulgaria, Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia could order common quantities of gas: Azeri or liquefied.

"Our energy, especially gas connectivity, will be a particular priority. Together we are much stronger in talks with third countries. The Greek connection - and through the one in Serbia - you will have access to liquefied and Azeri gas, which diversifies the region. There is great potential to make a single market for gas trade. I hope we will organise it in a short time - our connection with Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia could be united in a common gas trading market," said Kiril Petkov.

Bulgaria is committed to help Serbia's European path by helping to open the negotiating chapters on economy and competitiveness. Petkov pointed out that emphasis was also placed on the situation and economic development of regions with a Bulgarian minority, while Prime Minister Ana Brnabic undertook to speed up the translation of textbooks into mother tongue - a process that has been delayed for years.

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