A new strategic gas pipeline of over 500 kilometers will cross Romania's territory within the BRUA European project, which will interconnect the natural gas networks in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria.

Contract signing ceremony for gas pipeline works took place in Bucharest on Tuesday, November 28.

The gas pipeline that aims to cross Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria is a priority for the current Romanian Government, being of particular importance for Romania's energy security and independence, Deputy Prime Minister Marcel Ciolac said.

Total investment is estimated at 480 million euros, out of which 180 million are non-reimbursable funds, he added.

Marcel Ciolacu: We have managed to unlock a project of great importance for Romania's energy security and, moreover, we estimate about 4,000 new jobs, increase demand for consumer goods, attracting additional revenues to the state budget, diversifying gas resources and improving the energy security of Romania, stimulating other investments and related affairs and stimulating the development of the local economy by increasing the value of the land near the new pipeline and increasing the number of households economic agents that will connect to the natural gas network.

Toma Petcu, Romanian Minister of Energy, said that the signing of the contracts places Romania on the chart with its commitment to the European Union and to the partners involved in this project.

The BRUA project has been designated as European Commission's Project of Common Interest and forms part of the North-South Gas Interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe (NSI East Gas) priority gas corridor which includes gas infrastructure for regional connections between and within the Baltic Sea region, Adriatic and Aegean Seas, eastern Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei