Sofia, 1 October 2022 (MIA) — The Greece – Bulgaria interconnector is changing the European energy map, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev said at the commissioning of the natural gas pipeline in Sofia on Saturday. According to MIA’s Sofia correspondent, Radev said the gas pipeline was an opportunity not only for Bulgaria, but also for Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia and many other countries from Central and Southeast Europe. "With the expected launch of the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis,” Radev turned to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who attended the ceremony, “the region will get long-awaited opportunities for real diversification.” The Bulgarian President described the interconnector as "far more than an infrastructure project; it is a symbol of the growing potential of our region, of successful cooperation and connectivity” toward sustainable economic development. In line with the single European strategy for more affordable and secure energy, he said, Bulgaria was expanding the capacity of its Underground Gas Storage Chiren to help its neighbors. The country has also been pushing for the implementation of the gas interconnector with Serbia and maintaining active operations of the gas pipeline with Romania to have flexible and secure supplies, Radev said. mr/