PM Borissov: Bulgaria, Serbia Should Complete Balkan Stream Pipeline Construction Simultaneously

"We would like to be ready with the construction of the Bulgarian section of the so called Balkan Stream together with the Serbs," said here on Monday Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. He was inspecting the progress of Bulgargatransgaz's pipeline extension to the border with Serbia.

The construction works are carried out by the Saudi Arkad Consortium. The inspection was attended by Serbia's Energy Minister Aleksandar Antic, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Energy Minister Aabed Abdullah al-Saadoun, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova and a representative of Hungary's Energy Ministry.

According to Serbia's Energy Minister Antic, the Serbian pipeline, which is part of the Balkan Stream, should be ready by this year's end. Borissov noted that the schedules are being synchronized, so that construction works can be completed simultaneously on both sides of the border.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister further noted that the pipeline's extension is a huge endeavour in which USD 1.2 billion will be invested. Work on the project is going on round-the-clock. Some 24 train cars bring pipes into Bulgaria on a daily basis, which are then transported to the construction site by 60-70 heavy-duty trucks, he said. True natural gas supply diversification will be achieved in the Balkans and Hungary after the gas interconnector with Greece is completed, in which Bulgaria is investing 500 million euro, Borissov explained.

Source: BTA