Energy diversification and new nuclear capacities in the focus of Bulgaria's Finance Minister's visit to the US

Bulgaria’s Minister of Finance, Assen Vassilev, held talks with United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, in Washington yesterday., February 6. The meeting is of strategic importance as energy occupies a central place in the bilateral dialogue between Bulgaria and the United States. Energy Minister Rumen Radev also took part in the talks.

Minister Vassilev expressed appreciation for the US support in Bulgaria's efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on a single supplier.

"The energy cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States contributes to increasing the energy security and diversification not only of our country, but also of the whole Balkan region," Vassilev stressed.

He placed special emphasis on the North-South project, which aims to create optimal connectivity of the energy, digital and transport systems of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, the Finance Ministry said.

"Against the backdrop of the expiring gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine, the Southern Gas Corridor and North-South connectivity will be increasingly crucial," Vassilev said.

He reiterated the need for diversity in energy sources, especially in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which has exposed Europe's energy security vulnerabilities.

Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity for cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria in the field of civilian nuclear technology.

Bulgarian Energy Minister, Rumen Radev, stressed the importance of this relationship not only to the development of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant with the AP1000 reactor, but also to continued cooperation in personnel training and scientific exchange. He also presented the new joint project between Bulgaria and Romania for a large hydroelectric power plant on the Danube, stressing the importance of this innovative approach to energy security in the region.

The transition to renewable energy sources and innovative technologies, as well as the limitation of carbon emissions, were also key topics of the talks at the Department of Energy in Washington.

Nuclear energy and diversification were also the focus of the two ministers' meeting at the US State Department with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt.

"Bulgaria deserves tremendous credit for the work it has done to secure alternative gas sources and corridors, especially for pulling the entire region westward," Pyatt said in a conversation with Ministers Vassilev and Radev.

He added that once Bulgaria has managed to diversify supplies, there is no excuse for other European countries. The US Department of State takes as a good sign the fact that Bulgaria, Romania and Greece are working together on the North-South project.