Cablegate: Recommendation for Bulgaria to Be Added to Wirec 2008

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSF #1202 2781335
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051335Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4381

UNCLAS SOFIA 001202

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

OES FOR WIREC ACTION GROUP LEADER STAN SPECT AND SPECIAL ASSISTANT
CAMILLE HILL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV EAID SOCI TRGY PGOV BU

SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR BULGARIA TO BE ADDED TO WIREC 2008
INVITATION LIST

REF: SECSTATE 138428

1. (U) Embassy Sofia strongly urges the inclusion of Bulgaria on
the list of priority countries to be invited to the Washington
International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008.) The
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has called
Bulgaria a "model country" in the implementation of credit line
schemes supporting renewable energy projects. U.S. company AES is
developing a 120 MW wind project in Bulgaria, one of the largest
wind projects in development in Southeast Europe.

2. (SBU) Located at a crossroads between Russia and Europe,
Bulgaria is now at the center of numerous proposed,
Russian-dominated, energy projects and pipelines (the Belene nuclear
plant, the South Stream gas pipeline, and the Burgas-Alexandropolous
oil pipeline). It is also part of the proposed, EU-backed Nabucco
gas pipeline and the American investor-led AMBO oil pipeline
projects, making Bulgaria a key decision-maker on Europe's future
energy security. Renewable energy and technology to improve energy
efficiency are the only answers to Bulgaria's dependence on energy
imports from Russia. WIREC 2008 is exactly the type of venue we
need to use to engage the Bulgarians on this issue and emphasize the
strategic role renewables can play in securing a future for Bulgaria
that is less dependent on Russian energy. This goal is a key part
of our Mission Strategic Plan.

3. (SBU) According to the MFA, invitations to WIREC for Bulgaria's
Official WIREC Ministerial Delegation should be sent to:

Mr. Ivailo Kalfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Petar Dimitrov, Minister of Economy and Energy
Mr. Dzhevdet Chakarov, Minister of Environment and Water

4. (U) If additional background is needed for Bulgaria's inclusion
in WIREC 2008, please contact post Economic Officer Kelly
Adams-Smith, at adamssmithke@state.gov.

BEYRLE

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