Minister Malinov: The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will contribute to energy security in Europe

Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will deepen their cooperation in the energy field in order to guarantee the security and diversification of natural gas supplies. The Bulgarian side is interested in receiving additional quantities from Azerbaijan for Bulgaria and the region, based on the conclusion of long-term contracts. These are some of the topics on which Bulgaria and Azerbaijan agreed during the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, which was held in Baku. Co-chairman from the Bulgarian side is the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov.

Bulgaria strongly supports the future expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor; it became clear during the meeting. Active cooperation and further integration of energy markets in the South-East Europe region will contribute to an adequate response of both sides to current and future energy challenges. Azerbaijan is a key partner of Bulgaria in the implementation of one of the main priorities in the energy sphere - the diversification of energy sources. Supplies from the Caspian Basin make a significant contribution to ensuring security and competition in the natural gas market. "Thanks to our well-developed gas transmission infrastructure, the Bulgarian side can accept additional supplies that will increase energy security not only in Bulgaria, but also in the entire region of Central and Southeastern Europe," Minister Malinov pointed out during the meeting.

Cooperation on the Green Energy Corridor project was also at the center of discussions in Baku. The Bulgarian side supports and actively participates as a partner in the project, which is based on the aspiration to strengthen national and regional energy security and connectivity in the Black Sea basin, diversification of supply sources, use of the potential for energy production from renewable sources in the Caspian region and increasing the share of energy from renewable sources in the national energy mix. "Last week, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approved the participation of our country through BEH and its subsidiary companies in the implementation of the Green Energy Corridor," informed Minister Malinov. According to him, the demand for green energy is growing not only in Bulgaria, but also in the entire region. Minister Malinov expressed confidence that the sixth meeting of the intergovernmental commission will provide an additional incentive for the implementation of future joint projects in the energy sector.

Earlier in the day, Minister Malinov held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Medjun Mammadov, who is the co-chairman of the intergovernmental commission from the Azerbaijani side. The two commented on the significant potential for expanding the economic exchange between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan in all areas of mutual interest - trade, industry, investments, energy, transport, agriculture and many others. The two ministers agreed that deepening contacts in these areas will bring mutual benefits to both countries, raising their bilateral relations to a new level.

During their visit to Baku, the Bulgarian delegation, led by Minister Malinov, laid flowers on the Walk of Honor and the Walk of Martyrs in the capital of Azerbaijan.