New gas pipeline boosts Europe's bid to ease Russian supply

The pipeline connection will give the country access to ports in neighbouring Greece that are importing liquefied natural gas, or LNG

Mountainous and remote, the Greek-Bulgaria border once formed the southern corner of the Iron Curtain. Today, it's where the European Union is redrawing the region's energy map to ease its heavy reliance on Russian natural gas.

A new pipeline — built during the COVID-19 pandemic, tested and due to start commercial operation in June — will ensure that large volumes of gas will flow between the two countries in both directions to generate electricity, fuel industry and heat homes.

The energy link takes on greater importance following Moscow's decision this week to cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria over