BULGARIANS LOOK FOR U.S. ADVICE ON PROPOSED ENERGY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000473

SIPDIS

FOR EUR DAS BRYZA, ENVOY GRAY, ENERGY COORDINATOR MANN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2018
TAGS: ENRG ECON BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIANS LOOK FOR U.S. ADVICE ON PROPOSED ENERGY
SUMMIT

REF: SOFIA 0317

Classified By: CDA Alex Karagiannis for reason 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) During his June U.S. visit, PM Stanishev raised the
idea that Bulgaria host a regional energy summit; he returned
to that theme during the July 9 visit to Sofia by Secretary
Rice, who offered to explore the possibility of a U.S. senior
official consulting with the Bulgarians. The PM's Diplomatic
Advisor, Valentin Radomirsky, on July 17 provided additional
details. The PM's and President Parvanov's senior staff have
presented their leaders a joint concept and options paper on
dates, level of participation, and format. While they are
considering two dates (late this year or April/May 2009) they
are strongly leaning to spring 2009 as the most workable.
They believe that to be effective, the meeting will have to
be at head of state level, as decision making in Central
Asian countries resides at the top. They envision the summit
bringing together Eurasian and European producers, transit
countries and consumers. In addition to the U.S.
(recognizing our participation will not be at head of
government),they will also invite the EU Commission and
Presidency, and Russia. The summit will focus on gas,
particularly Nabucco, South Stream and the
trans-Caspian/trans-Black Sea energy corridor.


2. (C) Radomirsky underscored that Bulgaria would welcome a
visit in early September by a senior U.S. energy advisor,
which will shape their thinking and planning, especially in
how best to deal with Russia. He noted that Bulgarian
President Parvanov plans a trip to Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan for late September, and would welcome hearing
from us first.


3. (C) According to Petar Poptchev, Ambassador for Energy
Security and Climate Change and Bulgarian Nabucco
Coordinator, the summit will have three goals: outline
prospects and capabilities of suppliers; review problems of
transit countries; and determine the real energy needs of
Europe. Acknowledging the competition to host such
high-level energy summits, Poptchev said Bulgaria's close
relationships with the United States and Russia as well as
with Azerbaijan make it a natural facilitator on Eurasian
energy issues. He said the GOB hopes the summit will result
in real supply commitments signed by the Azerbaijani
President with Bulgaria and other Nabucco partners. The
Bulgarians are looking at how best to include energy
companies, perhaps through sidebar events, and would welcome
our advice.


4. (C) Comment: The summit is the latest in a series of
efforts to showcase Bulgaria as a regional energy center
(Reftel). Stung by U.S. reaction to its South Stream
participation, Bulgaria is now actively seeking cooperation
with the United States on energy issues. High level U.S.
engagement will re-energize Nabucco, help lead to a more
coherent EU energy policy, and draw Caucasus and Central
Asian producers closer to market-based energy
diversification.
Karagiannis