The European Commission (EC) has selected all the three projects submitted in July 2009 by the National Natural Gas Transport Company (SNTGN) Transgaz Medias under the European Economic Recovery Plan requiring co-financing from European funds, according to a release of the Economy Ministry. These projects target the development of the interconnection pipes between the Romanian natural gas transport system and the ones available in Bulgaria and Hungary, with the Community funds allocated to SNTGN Transgaz totaling some EUR 14 million. SNTGN Transgaz will ensure financing worth some EUR 34 million for these projects. EC will approve the decisions for the provision of financial support for each project in turn throughout February 2010. The SNTGN Transgaz projects are included in Romania's and the EU energy policy aimed at ensuring the supply safety and at the same time promoting the principles of responsibility and solidarity between member states in times of crisis. The projects selected by EC relate also to the Nabucco pipeline, for which construction EUR 200 million have been allocated. The European Economic Recovery Plan adopted in the second quarter this year is one of the measures taken by EC in view of capping the effects of the economic crisis, aimed both at contributing to the economic recovery and meeting EU's urgent energy needs.

Source: Agerpres.