Bulgarian PM, Serbian President inspect construction of motorway & gas pipeline

Serbian President Alexandar Vucic on June 1 arrived in Bulgaria on a one-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. After a brief bilateral meeting, the two inspected by air the progress on the construction of the Europe Motorway and the Balkan Stream.

The meeting once again stressed the transport and energy connectivity between the two countries.

Europe Motorway is intended to connect Sofia with Kalotina border checkpoint - 48 km of motorway road, which is being built in 3 sections. The most advanced section at the moment is between Dragoman and Slivnitsa. This motorway is expected to be completed next year.

The route of the strategically important for Bulgaria "Balkan Stream" - 474 km. a gas pipeline that stretches from the Bulgarian-Turkish to the Bulgarian-Serbian border, is expected to be completed ahead of schedule by the end of this year. 280 km of pipes have already been laid along its route, of which 150 have been welded.

Borissov and Vucic issued a joint statement near Letnitsa, where the pipeline route runs.

Alexandar Vucic said that Serbia perceives Bulgaria as a great friend and the Bulgarian people as brothers. He thanked Borissov for managing to raise relations between the two countries to such a high level.

Thanks to the motorway, Bulgarians and Serbs will be able to get from Sofia to Belgrade in just three hours and vice versa - something we all expected, the Serbian President said.

He specified that he was satisfied with the progress on the construction of both Europa Motorway and the Balkan Stream pipeline.

Vucicsaid that Balkan Stream project is of great importance to the two countries. For both nations, the implementation of the project means economic growth, industrial growth and the provision of one of the most important energy sources needed for these countries’ economies.

The Serbian President hopes that the Bulgarian and Serbian sections that are being built will be connected soon.

Alexander Vucic thanked Borissov once again for his support to Serbia on its path to the EU.

He reiterated that no one in Serbia has said or would say a bad word about Bulgarians and Bulgaria.

For his part, Prime Minister Borissov said that despite the coronavirus crisis, the work of both Europa Motorway and the Balkan Stream had not stopped.

"The construction of Alexandroupolis - Dimitrovgrad is going very well, so this ring Alexandroupolis - Turkey - Balkan Stream - Serbia allows for full diversification for both Bulgaria and for Serbia it carry Russian, American liquefied, and Qatari, Saudi Arbian and Azeri gas, so we can immediately fill the pipes," the PM said.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister pointed out that with the implementation of "Balkan Stream" we will be able to pass to Serbia whatever gas they want - transparently, in front of the eyes of the European Union. The investment is entirely Bulgarian. We work honestly, Borissov noted.

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The Balkan Stream gas pipeline is part of the Balkan gas hub concept, which aims to establish Bulgaria's role as a leading trade distribution centre in the region and the European Union, the Government Information Service says.

Balkan Stream pipeline is 474 km long. At the moment, 271 km of the pipes are spread along the route, from which 151 km are welded.

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