Bulgaria and Germany signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of Energy in Thessaloniki
“We outlined new perspectives for the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and Germany in the energy sector. We will expand our partnership in the areas of hydrogen technologies, renewable energy, green transition, energy corridors, diversification of supply and others.” This was said in Thessaloniki by the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov during the signing of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of Energy and Climate Action, between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany. The document was signed by Minister Malinov and Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice- Chancellor, and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The document was signed within the framework of the second edition of the “Middle East, North Africa and Europe Future Energy Dialogue (MEFED) -Focus on Energy infrastructure,” which took place in Thessaloniki today. The declaration is a step forward in the development of mutually beneficial contacts between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy, emphasized during the meeting the two ministers. Vladimir Malinov noted the active role of our country in Southeast Europe in achieving diversification of energy supplies in the changed geopolitical situation, as well as in the formation of new energy corridors, guaranteeing system security and resource independence. During the international forum in Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Greece Theodoros Skylakakis. The two ministers discussed the strategic importance of Bulgarian-Greek cooperation for the energy security of the European continent. A key role is played by the already constructed LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis. After its upcoming commissioning on October 1-st, the facility will provide European consumers with additional quantities of natural gas from secure sources at competitive prices. "An additional contribution to ensuring the energy supply to Europe, including Moldova and Ukraine, will be given by the implementation of The Vertical Gas Corridor Initiative-infrastructure for additional gas flows from south to North," minister Malinov recalled. Among the topics of the conversation was the rise of electricity prices in the region of South-Eastern Europe. Ministers Malinov and Skylakakis agreed that Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania should take joint measures to protect consumers and businesses in the region. The two ministers discussed the growing need to assist Ukraine in the process of restoring its energy infrastructure in view of the upcoming winter. In Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also spoke with Abdullah Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant-Minister for energy and sustainability at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As an important transit center of energy flows from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe, Bulgaria supports the strengthening of the dialogue between producer countries, transit countries and energy resource consumers, minister Malinov pointed out to his counterpart. He also emphasized that in the energy area between two countries there are several topics for deeper cooperation – in the use and transmission of liquefied natural gas, the development of nuclear energy, the production of energy from renewable sources, in energy security and efficiency and in the low-carbon economy.