A written procedure has concluded on Bulgaria's compensation for the closure of Units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy N-plant, settling the last tranche of the money, due to be paid by the end of 2009, said Monday EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Miglena Kuneva at a news conference.

A total of 77.5 million euro will be made available for 2009. By the end of 2008, some 490.3 million euro had been disbursed to Bulgaria, Kuneva explained.

Kuneva said that one of the most important things to do within her term as EU Commissioner is to work towards extra 300 million euro in compensation for the closed units after 2009.

Effective from October 2, the Supreme Administrative Court overturned a court ruling against an enforcement of an order of Bulgaria's energy regulator for monthly electricity readings and that the CEZ electricity distributor should return to monthly readings, said Kuneva.

On the proposal for a single European utility bill, Kuneva said that such a bill may be introduced in this country, applying the best known practices.

In 2008, a total of 55,000 complaints from Bulgaria were submitted at the European Commission, mainly in the area of energy, including the heating utilities. However, this poses an obstacle before the Commission as it is not a common policy issue, Kuneva said.

Taking a question, Kuneva said that there was nothing worrying when a term closes, especially when it is successful. "I will not disappear and I will still take interest in what happens in Bulgaria," the EU Commissioner said, adding that she is due to report on her performance as commissioner in November, when the term of the Commission expires.

Asked what Bulgaria's chances are and whether Bulgaria sets the bar too high in aspiring to get the post of EU energy commissioner, Kuneva replied that these things are not determined by the strength of a country. Kuneva said that she would make any candidate feel comfortable during the selection process.

Source: BTA