US interested in Bulgaria's energy sector

Oct 19, 2005 02:00 AM

The US has voiced its interest into Bulgaria's energy sector.
Within the frames of the official visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Washington President Georgi Parvanov and Economy and Energy Minister Rumen Ovcharov held meetings with US Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Minister Ovacharov and Samuel Bodman have discussed the options for participation of US companies in the construction of Bulgaria's second nuclear power plant Belene.
The US authorities have also voiced their support for the construction of alternative opportunities for nature gas and petrol supply. The Burgas-Alexandroupolis and Burgas-Vlora and the Nabucco pipelines have also been topics of discussion.

Following the meeting Minister Ovacharov said that the US energy giant AES has announced its decision to finance the Maritsa East 1 project with $ 500 mm.
The Bulgarian delegates and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff have focused on the options for boosted cooperation in cases of nature disasters and identifying and coping with terror threats.

Source: Sofia News Agency < /font>