Bulgaria and Turkey are preparing cooperation memorandum in energy sector

The preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Bulgaria and Turkey in the field of energy was one of the main topics of the talks between the caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov and his Turkish counterpart Alparslan Bayraktar. The two agreed on this at a meeting held in Istanbul on August 7.

The purpose of the document is to establish a framework for cooperation in the energy sector between Bulgaria and Turkey and to facilitate the exchange of technical knowledge, advice, skills and experience in accordance with the national legislation of the countries. The project highlights electricity and gas connectivity, together with renewable energy and energy efficiency as key areas of energy cooperation between the countries.

The development of new electricity connectivity projects and the improvement of cross-border capacity, as well as the promotion of private investors to implement such projects are among the main measures to deepen interconnections set out in the project.

The two ministers agreed that the signing of the Memorandum will help develop interconnections that support the security of energy supply in the region. At the invitation of Minister Malinov, the document will be signed in Sofia.

Bulgaria's Parliament adopted a resolution assigning Minister of Energy to re-negotiate Bulgargaz-Botas agreement

At the request of the Turkish side, Ministers Malinov and Bayraktar discussed the possibility of Bulgaria providing additional water for irrigation in the region around Edirne due to prolonged dry period and adverse weather conditions. In response, Minister Malinov expressed Sofia's readiness to host a meeting between delegations from the two countries to discuss the technical parameters.

Minister Malinov once again raised with his Turkish counterpart the issue of renegotiating the agreement between Bulgargas EAD and the Turkish energy company Botas. The active negotiations on this topic will continue and representatives of Botas are scheduled to visit Bulgaria on 15 August for a meeting with public supplier Bulgargaz.

By its Decision of 19 April 2024, the Parliament instructed the Minister of Energy to undertake the necessary actions for the renegotiation of the agreement between Bulgargaz EAD and the Turkish energy company Botas.