Bulgarian President, Qatari Emir Discuss Energy Independence

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has met Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamam bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in Qatar's capital Doha.

The two heads of state have discussed reactions in case of a renewed European gas crisis and prospects of joint energy projects, as website Dariknews.bg has reported.

During the meeting, Plevneliev raised the issue of Bulgaria's energy diversification, which, in his opinion is the only key to its socioeconomic stabilization.

It is unclear, though, whether he proposed a "south-to-north" supply corridor for liquefied natural gas from Qatar to Bulgaria, which could reach Europe through Greek ports and be distributed among EU countries.

Bulgaria's president announced this plan ahead of the meeting with his Qatari counterpart, deeming it crucial for Bulgarian energy security.

In Doha, Plevneliev asserted that trade between Bulgaria and Qatar is yet to grow despite its low levels, and pointed a wider presence of Bulgarian companies (currently there are 3 of them) on Qatari soil.

Ukraine region of Crimea's standoff was also a subject of the talks.

The leaders signed a range of documents, including a Memorandum on cooperation in diplomatic education between Bulgaria and Qatar, and an deal to exchange news between Bulgarian Telegraph Agency and its Qatari counterpart.

An agreement was also reached to declare the capitals of the two countries, Sofia and Doha, sister cities.

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