The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Hido Biscevic, held consultations in Sofia today with Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Transport, Milen Ljutzkanov, Mario Kosev and Ivaylo Moskovski, respectively, as well as Ambassador at Large for Energy Security and Climate Change, Peter Poptchev.

Secretary General Biscevic informed his Bulgarian counterparts of the first steps in implementing the newly adopted RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, and of the RCC efforts in connecting South East European priorities with potential funds for projects of regional importance.

He added that the creation of a regional energy master plan, harmonized with EU policies, would benefit national economies and the citizens, also through fostering their countries’ European integration.

The Bulgarian officials highlighted the importance of the RCC in the region and expressed particular interest in strengthening transport and energy infrastructure in South East Europe, especially when it comes to gas interconnections between Bulgaria and neighbouring countries, with the aim to link these transportation routes with the EU market. 

During all the meetings, it was agreed that concrete project cooperation among the countries of the region was essential for overall economic and social advancement of South East Europe. A coordinating role of the RCC in this respect was also discussed.

The meetings with the Bulgarian officials were part of an ongoing series of the RCC Secretary General’s political consultations with leaders in South East Europe on regional priorities in the context of the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013.