Bulgaria and Germany signed a declaration on cooperation in energy, green policies and climate protection, reported from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy. Bulgarian Acting Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov met with German Minister of Economy and Climate Robert Habeck in Thessaloniki, Greece, where the two signed the declaration.
"We outlined new perspectives for the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy. We will expand our partnership in the fields of hydrogen technologies, renewable energy, green transition, energy corridors, supply diversification and others," said Vladimir Malinov upon signing the declaration.
The declaration is a step forward in the development of mutually beneficial contacts between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy, the two ministers emphasized during the bilateral meeting before the signing. Vladimir Malinov emphasized the active role of our country in Southeast Europe to achieve diversification of energy supplies in the conditions of the changed geopolitical situation, as well as to the formation of new energy corridors, guaranteeing system security and resource independence.
Bulgarian-Greek cooperation for energy security
During the international forum in Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Greece, Theodoros Skilakakis. The two discussed the strategic importance of Bulgarian-Greek cooperation for the energy security of the European continent. A key role is played by the already built liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis. Following its upcoming commercial commissioning on October 1st, the facility will provide European consumers with additional quantities of natural gas from reliable sources at competitive prices.
"Additional contribution to guaranteeing energy supplies to Europe, including Moldova and Ukraine, will be provided by the implementation of the initiative for the Vertical Gas Corridor - infrastructure for additional gas flows from the south to the north," reminded Minister Malinov.
Among the topics of the conversation was the rise in electricity prices in the region of South-Eastern Europe. Ministers Malinov and Skilakakis united around Bulgaria, Greece and Romania taking common measures to protect consumers and businesses in the region. The two also discussed the growing need to assist Ukraine in the process of restoring its energy infrastructure in view of the upcoming winter season.
Cooperation with the UAE
In Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also spoke with Abdullah Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
"As an important transit center for energy flows from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe, Bulgaria is in favor of strengthening the dialogue between producer countries, transit countries and countries that consume energy resources," Minister Malinov pointed out to his colleague.
He emphasized that in the energy sector between the two countries there are a number of topics on which to deepen cooperation - in the use and transfer of liquefied natural gas, the development of nuclear energy, the production of energy from renewable sources, energy security and efficiency, the low-carbon economy .