PM Kiril Petkov at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting: If we act together, we will achieve energy independence and a greener economy

We can be optimistic about the next decade if we take into account the lessons from the past 10 years, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, said on May 25 in his speech during the discussion " A Lost Decade?" at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Prime Minister Petkov pointed out that not enough strategic steps have been taken in the past to prevent Europe's growing dependence on Russian gas and to counteract hybrid attacks.

On security and defence, he said that there was a past deficit of strategic thinking about the logistics on NATO's eastern flank. He pointed to the problem with foreign intelligence agents, which is a burning issue in Bulgaria. According to the PM, it is all these shortcomings that prevented an adequate response to the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.

The conclusion is that we have to act together, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov pointed out and gave an example of how Bulgaria managed to find alternatives in a short time after the suspension of supplies from Gazprom.

According to the Prime Minister, the optimal use of regional infrastructure provides an opportunity for energy diversification not only for Bulgaria but throughout the Balkans. Petkov stressed the importance of achieving synergies in the region and taking steps towards more sustainability. As a result, Prime Minister Petkov expressed hope that at the end of this year, Bulgaria will be independent from Russian gas and will have more green economy.

At the Davos meeting, Petkov is accompanied by the head of his political cabinet Lena Borislavola and his foreign policy adviser Vessela Cherneva.

The 2022 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (May 22-26) is centered around the theme "History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies". It has brought together over 2,000 economic and political leaders, intellectuals, journalists and experts from across the world to discuss a wide range of current issues, including restoring global cooperation, remedying the economic balance, controlling climate change, transforming industry, innovation and cybersecurity, among others.