European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete (L) shakes hands with Romanian Energy Minister Anton Anton during the first informal meeting of energy ministers of the European Union (EU) Member States in Bucharest, Romania, on April 2, 2019. European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete on Tuesday called for rapid implementation of BRUA gas project to ensure that natural gas is connected to Austria as soon as possible. (Xinhua/Cristian Cristel)
BUCHAREST, April 2 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete on Tuesday called for rapid implementation of BRUA gas project to ensure that natural gas is connected to Austria as soon as possible.
According to Arias Canete, the BRUA gas pipeline is fundamental for the European Commission and will allow natural gas to reach Hungary and Austria from Bulgaria and Romania.
Arias Canete has been stressed in various occasions in recent years that BRUA is a strategic project of common interest extremely important to diversify the sources of natural gas, which will ensure energy security in the region, increase competition and lead to lower prices.
Referring to divided opinions on the project within the Budapest authorities, Canete stressed that "for the Commission, it is important that this project be carried out", regardless of the final route to be selected.
The BRUA gas pipeline is an interconnection project in southern Europe linking Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria, attempting to lessen the region's dependence on Russian energy by providing a new route for the future natural gas exploitation in the Black Sea.
Phase I of the project stipulates the construction of a 479-km line on the territory of Romania from Podisor in the southeast to Recas in the west and is expected to be operational by the end of this year.
The first informal meeting of energy ministers of the European Union (EU) Member States was held on Tuesday in Bucharest by the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council.
The meeting discussed the priorities of the future energy system in the EU, from the perspective of ensuring energy transition post 2020 from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
