Bulgaria Seeks Inclusion into Visegrad Group's Energy Projects

Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev has said his country is looking for Slovakia's support for its involvement in energy projects currently developed by the Visegrad Group.

Plevneliev has made the comment after a meeting with Slovakian counterpart Andrej Kiska in Bratislava.

The Visegrad Group, also known as V4, includes Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

The Bulgarian head of state, who is on a visit to Bratislava to attend a global security forum, has also suggested Greece and Romania should also take part in the projects to fully integrate the Eastern European member states of the EU.

"We have shared our common priorities about creating a market in Central Europe and Southeast Europe. An energy market where energy products are traded freely and at market levels. I am looking for the support of Slovakia for the idea of expanding all gas projects and energy projects being carried out here in the Visegrad Group," the Bulgarian National Radio quotes him as saying.

Earlier, Bulgaria said it was willing to help integrate the Southeastern European gas network with the Eastring, a project proposed by Slovakia following a Russian announcement that deliveries of gas via Ukraine might be cut or drastically reduced in favor of other routes.

Bulgaria has suggested the so-called Vertical Gas Corridor, a project seeking to connect its gas system with Romania and Greece to pave way for a link to Central Europe.