Minister Malinov: Strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will contribute to energy security in Europe
After a five-year break, the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation has taken place in Baku
Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will enhance their energy cooperation to ensure security and diversification of natural gas supplies. The Bulgarian side is interested in receiving from Azerbaijan additional quantities of gas for Bulgaria and the region, on the basis of long-term contracts. These are among the topics agreed by Bulgaria and Azerbaijan during the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, which took place in Baku. Bulgarian co-chairman is the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov.
Bulgaria strongly supports the future expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, became clear during the session. Active cooperation and further integration of energy markets in the South East European region will contribute to an adequate response by both sides to current and future energy challenges. Azerbaijan is Bulgaria's key partner in meeting one of its main energy priorities- the diversification of energy sources. Supplies from the Caspian basin make a significant contribution to ensuring security and competition of the natural gas market. “Thanks to our excellent gas transmission infrastructure, the Bulgarian side can receive additional supplies that will increase energy security not only in Bulgaria but in the whole region of Central and Southeast Europe,” Minister Malinov said during the session.
Cooperation on the Green Energy Corridor project was also discussed in Baku. The Bulgarian side supports and actively participates as a partner in the project, which builds on the drive to strengthen national and regional energy security and connectivity in the Black Sea Basin, diversify sources of supply, exploit the renewable energy potential in the Caspian region and increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix. “Last week, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approved the involvement of our country through BEH and its subsidiaries in the implementation of the Green Energy Corridor,” Minister Malinov informed. In his words, the demand for green energy is growing both in Bulgaria and throughout the region. Minister Malinov expressed confidence that the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission would provide additional impetus for the realization of future joint projects in the energy field.
Earlier in the day, Minister Malinov held a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijan Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov, a co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission from the Azerbaijani side. The two commented on the significant potential to expand economic exchange between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan in all areas of mutual interest – trade, industry, investment, energy, transport, agriculture and many others. The two ministers agreed that deepening contacts in these areas would bring mutual benefits to both countries, taking the bilateral relations to a new level.
During his visit to Baku, the Bulgarian delegation, headed by Minister Malinov, laid flowers on the Alley of Honor and the Alley of Martyrs in the capital of Azerbaijan.
