Presidents of Bulgaria, Hungary Confirm Support for South Stream

President Rosen Plevneliev (R) with Hungarian counterpart J?nos ?der (L) in Sofia on November 11, 2014. Photo by BGNES

The establishment of a regional gas market among the Visegrad Group members boosts energy security in Central Europe and helps Bulgaria to diversify supplies, President Rosen Plevneliev has said.

Bulgaria's head of state made his remarks while meeting his Hungarian counterpart J?nos ?der, who is on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria.

The Visegrad Group comprises the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Both countries support the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline, ?der and Plevneliev announced at a press conference after their meeting.

Plevneliev told ?der security of gas supplies to Europe rises predictability from the investors' point of view.

?der, for his part, restated the support Budapest throws behind Bulgaria with regard to its Schengen bid, the Bulgarian President's press office informs.

The two heads of state also discussed opportunities to enhance economic and trade partnership.

In Plevneliev's words, Bulgaria and Hungary could set up joint ventures to produce and offer the output to third countries.

Bilateral trade surpassed EUR 1 B in 2013, and Hungarian investment into the country are EUR 1.3 B within the same period.

Plevneliev also voiced his stance that the Visegrad Group should be expanded by including Bulgaria and Romania, a step "in the interest of all countries".

Both presidents are to attend Wednesday a press conference titled How to Deal with the Past While Looking at the Future.

The event is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the beginning of democratic transition.

During the first day of his visit here ?der also met Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to congratulate him on the election victory and the success he had in forming a government.

Hungary's President told Borisov his country was ready to provide assistance to Bulgaria if needed.

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