20. Recognises that not merely Bulgaria but countries throughout E
urope are facing an energy gap in the years ahead, with increasing reliance on imports of ene
rgy from Russia and areas of instability; stresses the crucial importance for Bulgaria of ensuring energy supplies, which will meet future requirements both nationally and in the region, and the importance of supporting new generating and transmission capacities from competitive and sustainable energy sources while improving energy conservation efforts and respecting the Kyoto
...[+++]Protocol targets; acknowledges the sacrifice that Bulgaria will have to make in complying with the requirement for the definitive closure of Kozloduy Units 3 4 in 2006 and their subsequent decommissioning; reiterates its call for Council to be prepared to view the closure dates for these units with flexibility, which might involve an eight-month delay in closure in order to allow a review to take place, without in any way compromising safety requirements, which remain an absolute priority; 
