Energy, defense and culture are the main priorities for the strategic partnership between the US and Bulgaria in 2015. This is what Prime Minister Boyko said at a meeting with members of the American Chamber of Commerce. Borissov said he was worried by the election victory of left-wing "SYRIZA" party in Greece and used the forum to say he would protect the interests of the people in order for the Greek scenario not to repeat in Bulgaria.

The Prime Minister said also that Bulgaria was a loyal partner of NATO, the EU and Russia, but this loyalty was not always bilateral. Whether Bulgaria’s partners should be blamed or the inconsistency of Bulgarian politicians and their attempts to serve two masters at once - Russia and the Euro-Atlantic structures remains unclear. That is why there are a number of unrealized projects in the Bulgarian energy sphere.

Besides Russia, Borissov criticized the "unreliability" of neighboring NATO countries -Turkey and Greece. On the occasion of their intentions to participate in the Turkish Stream project, the Prime Minister said:

"Can NATO members work  in order for Bulgaria to be skipped from the project?,” Borissov asked rhetorically and called on the Bulgarian-American Commission on Energy, agreed to be created during the recent visit of John Kerry in the country, for support against the exclusion of Bulgaria from the second Russian gas pipeline project.”

The main priority in the program of the cabinet remains finishing infrastructure projects. This is similar to his strategy from the previous term in office but the obstacle then became the energy sphere and the high electricity bills. Will the new government of Boyko Borissov be able to solve the problems in the energy sector, or will they continue to hang like the sword of Damocles over the mandate of the government while it is building highways and sports halls.

The sphere of energy creates problems for Borissov as it became clear from his concern over the outcome of the Belene NPP case, as the Russian side is to sue Bulgaria in the Swiss capital of Geneva. If Bulgaria fails to win the trial, the deficit of the National Electricity Company will increase.

"The main deficit of NEC comes from unrealized projects such as Belene and Tsankov Kamak and only 500-600 million come from the difference between the final price of electricity and the purchase of electricity at regulated prices."

Borissov expressed regret that Turkey was building four Russian nuclear units while Bulgaria was not. On the other hand, Bulgaria withdrew from the Belene project during the previous cabinet of Borissov in 2012. South Stream should also be added to the list of unrealized Russian energy projects in this country, as its realization was unilaterally stopped by "Gazprom."  Bulgaria continues to work on the project because no official letter was sent by the Russian company, while the question whether Bulgaria should seek compensation for lost profits under this project is not on the agenda.

PM Borissov added that this country paid more than 6 billion euro annually for supply of gas and oil. Pointing out that "Bulgaria pays the most expensive gas in Europe - two times more expensive than Germany," the PM asked why Gazprom did not reduce the price for Bulgaria.

In negotiations with "Gazprom" Bulgaria may claim lower prices as it could start independent production and diversify supplies. Drilling for gas in the Black Sea has already started, while the moratorium on shale gas extraction remains intact.

"Bulgaria has rich deposits of shale gas but because of the upcoming local elections, no politician would put the issue on the agenda as it would equal ‘suicide'."

English: Alexander Markov