(1 Oct 2022)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sofia - 1 October 2022
++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
1. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stand as officials take their seats
2. Various of officials before the ceremony
3. Von der Leyen walking to podium
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president:
"I would say today a new era for Bulgaria and southeast Europe begins. Bulgaria used to receive 80% of its gas from Russia. That was before Russia decided to launch an atrocious war against Ukraine and an energy war against Europe. This pipeline is a game changer. It's a game changer for Bulgaria and for Europe's energy security. And it means freedom. It means freedom from dependency on Russian gas. Indeed, the interconnector could cover the entire gas consumption of Bulgaria, and this is really great news in very difficult times. Both here in Bulgaria and across Europe, people are feeling the consequences of Russia's war, but thanks to projects like this, Europe will have enough gas for the winter."
5. Mid of ceremony attendees
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Galab Donev, Bulgaria's caretaker prime minister:
"For Greece and Bulgaria, IGB (Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria) is not only a commercial cooperation agreement, but also proof of responsibility and solidarity which also extends beyond our immediate neighbourhood."
7. Bulgarian President Radev walking to rostrum
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rumen Radev, Bulgarian President:
"IGB is not only an infrastructure project. It is a symbol of the growing potential of our region, of successful cooperation and connectivity contributing to our sustainable development by implementing the joint EU strategy for more reliable, affordable and secure energy."
9. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis walking to podium
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek prime minister:
"The beginning of the IGB's commercial operation constitutes an exceptional moment, not just for south-east Europe, but, madame president, for Europe, more broadly. As this pipeline significantly boosts energy and supplies security for all interconnected countries in the Balkans as well as that of the European continent as a whole."
11. Wide of officials
12. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, walking to podium
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan:
"First of all I want to express gratitude to President Radev for inviting me to attend this historical ceremony. The IGB project will play an important role in strengthening (the) energy security of Europe and diversification of gas supplies. Energy security is part of national security of every country and the current political situation in the world proves it once again. For almost two years, Azerbaijani gas is on the European market and now in Bulgaria. The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the continent which changed the energy map of Europe. Azerbaijan is proud to be (the) initiator of the Southern Gas Corridor. (The) Southern Gas Corridor transports gas to consumers by (a) new route, but also from a new source."
14. Various of officials posing for photos
STORYLINE:
The chief of the European Commission hailed on Saturday the official launch of a gas link between Greece and Bulgaria.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria pipeline in Sofia, Ursula von der Leyen described the pipeline as a "game changer" .
The importance of the pipeline, which has been called "a crucial south-north energy bridge" has significantly risen.
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