Focus News/Information Agency Focus
January 18, 2008

Bulgaria becomes basic Balkan energy centre: FM
Sofia. At the visit of Russian President Putin and his delegation the
maximum was achieved from the point of view of Bulgaria, Bulgarian FM
Ivaylo Kalfin said for Darik radio. The agreements which the state was
striving for were signed. Bulgaria became one of the basic energy
centers in South East Europe, Mr Kalfin said. In quite a competitive
environment with these agreements Bulgaria succeeded attracting
projects of great significance and after 16 years the project Burgas –
Alexandroupolis had the chance to really be realized, FM Kalfin
declared. South Stream was an Italian – Russian project whose purpose
was the gas delivery to Europe and among strong competition Bulgaria
would be a main country through which a great quantity of gas would be
passing in its way to Europe. This was in the interest to all parties
of the agreement – Russia, Bulgaria and Europe.