Bulgarian side will assist Ukraine in restoring energy infrastructure
Bulgarian side will assist Ukraine in restoring energy infrastructure
“The Bulgarian side will assist Ukraine in the process of restoring energy infrastructure. Deepening cooperation in the field of energy is in the mutual interest of both parties”. That is what Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said during a meeting with H.E. Olesya Ilashchuk, Ambassador of the Republic of Ukraine to Bulgaria. They discussed Bulgarian side's ability to provide adequate and timely support to Ukraine in the short and long term.
Minister Malinov and Ambassador Ilashchuk also reviewed the issue of potential sale of parts of the Belene nuclear power plant project equipment to Ukraine following a decision of the National Assembly of July 2023. According to Minister Malinov, the Bulgarian side will take the necessary steps to speed up the implementation of the process.
The topic of providing alternative gas supplies to Ukraine after stopping the transportation of Russian natural gas through Ukrainian territory was considered as well. “The implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative is of strategic importance for the energy security in the region of Southeast Europe. Building on the already existing infrastructure will allow transport of additional volumes of alternative supplies to Ukraine,” Malinov stressed during the meeting. In his words, the Vertical Corridor will ensure continued operation of the gas transmission network and underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine.