In a long anticipated move to enhance the security of supply, reduce dependency on Russia and boost regional cooperation, Bulgaria and Serbia have signed an agreement to jointly build a 150 km gas pipeline between the two countries.

The so-called Interconnector Link is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.

Both Bulgaria and Serbia get the bulk of their gas from Russia, and Serbia is under pressure from the European Union to reduce this dependency before negotiations to join the EU are concluded.

Expanding links with other pipeline systems in Greece and Romania will help these countries diversify their suppliers and create a more competitive market.

The construction of the gas link with Greece, also a priority project for the EU, is expected to start dsoon, after the two countries signed an investment agreement in October 2016.
According to Serbian Energy minister Aleksandar Antic, development of the gas connection between Bulgaria and Greece directly affects the Bulgarian-Serbian pipeline as it could provide Serbia with opportunities to deliver gas from the southern corridor as well as to buy liquid gas from a future LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis.