“An agreement in principle has been reached to double the capacity which Bulgaria has in the LNG terminal under construction at Alexandroupoli,” caretaker Energy Minister Rossen Hristov said after a meeting in which, together with President Rumen Radev, he discussed, with representatives of the companiesGastrade and Copelouzos Group, ways to increase the amounts of natural gas Bulgaria will import via Greece from Alexandroupoli.The meeting was attended also by caretaker PM Galab Donev and the managements of Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz. The increase agreed upon is from 500 million cubic metres of gas annually to 1 billion cubic metres.

Rumen Radev stated it was extremely important that the terminal be constructed on schedule and that it connects the two countries as of 1 October. Kostis Sifnaios, representing Gastrade stated that Bulgaria will be a priority in reserving capacities, and affirmed that the project will be implemented according to plan.

“Bulgaria is a shareholder in the terminal with 20% and has reserve capacity for the next 10 years. This project is crucial to the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Greece, but also for guaranteeing the economic stability of the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe by attaining real diversification, reliability of the deliveries and competitiveness,” President Radev said during the meeting. He pointed out further that it is important to Bulgaria to be included in the administration of port Alexandroupoli.