Bulgaria and Germany signed a declaration on energy cooperation

Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov and Germany’s Minister of Economy and Climate Action Robert Habeck signed a declaration on energy cooperation on September 8 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 technology, renewable energy, green transition, energy corridors, supply diversification and others," Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said.

The document was signed on the sidelines of the second edition of the Energy Forum "Dialogue on the Energy Future in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MEFED) - Focus on Energy Infrastructure", held in Thessaloniki on September 8. The declaration is a step forward in the development of mutually beneficial relations between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy, the two ministers stressed during the bilateral meeting before the signing.

Vladimir Malinov underlined the active role of Bulgaria in South-Eastern Europe in achieving diversification of energy supplies in the changed geopolitical situation, as well as in the formation of new energy corridors, ensuring system security and resource independence.

During the international forum in Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also held a bilateral meeting with Thodoros Skylakakis, Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece. They discussed the strategic importance of the Bulgarian-Greek cooperation for the energy security of the European continent. The already built LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis plays a key role. After its imminent entry into commercial operation on 1 October, the facility will provide European consumers with additional quantities of natural gas from secure sources at competitive prices.

Among the topics of discussion was the rise in electricity prices in the South East Europe region. Ministers Malinov and Skylakakis agreed that Bulgaria, Greece and Romania should take common measures to protect consumers and businesses in the region. They also discussed the growing need to assist Ukraine in the process of restoring its energy infrastructure in view of the upcoming winter season.

In Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also held talks with Abdullah Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. As an important transit hub for energy flows from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe, Bulgaria is in favour of strengthening the dialogue between producer, transit and consumer countries, Malinov told his counterpart.