Bulgarian PM: Clinton Agreed to Put Environment before Energy

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to protect the environment in pursuing their energy policies at a meeting in Sofia Sunday.

Energy was high on the agenda in Clinton's meeting with the Bulgarian PM and key cabinet ministers, and Clinton herself made it clear that Bulgaria is a key part of the US's energy strategy.

Although the Secretary of State did not mention the issue of shale gas in the press conference after the meeting, PM Borisov made it clear that his was a key topic of discussion.

"I want to stress that the Bulgarian nature and environment come first, and only then come financial and economic benefits," said the Bulgarian PM.

US energy giant Chevron's permit for exploring for shale gas in Bulgaria sparked controversy in the country, as environmentalists warned that the technology is hazardous.

This provoked the Bulgarian Parliament in mid-January to impose a ban on the exploration and production of shale gas in the country. It was believed that during her visit Clinton would pressure the Bulgarian cabinet to revoke the moratorium.

"Not before we have convinced society that there are no hazards in shale gas production can we go ahead," stressed Borisov, adding that his cabinet is open to experts who could prove the safety of the shale gas technology.

Hilly Clinton concurred that any joint US-Bulgarian move in the field of energy should do everything to preserve "the beautiful Bulgarian nature."

At the same time, she said that as soon as next week, she will be sending US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar to Bulgaria.

Morningstar was among the very first who introduced the idea of drilling for shale gas using a technology called hydraulic fracturing in Bulgaria, back in spring 2010.

Environmental concerns also played in Bulgarian PM Borisov's statement regarding Bulgaria's planned second NPP at Belene, a joint project with Russia.

"When I'm talking about the environment, I mean not only shale gas, but also nuclear energy," said he.

Bulgaria and Russian state company Atomstroyexport have held a long drawn negotiationg process over Belene NPP, which have led some to believe that the project will never be carried out.

However, Sunday the Bulgarian PM made it clear that his country is serious about the NPP. "We have already invested BGN 1.3 B in this project," said he.

Nuclear energy was among the key points that the US Secretary of State also pointed to when speaking about US-Bulgarian energy cooperation.

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