Energy Minister meets US Assistant Secretary of State

Caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov on May 23 met with James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department.

They discussed progress on the priority projects for both countries to build new nuclear capacity at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the Vertical Gas Corridor, the Energy Ministry said. Malinov and Ambassador O'Brien stressed their mutual commitment to continue and deepen cooperation in all energy sectors.

The two expressed hope that after the upcoming elections in Bulgaria, the political parties with Euro-Atlantic values will outline common priorities to create a stable governing majority with a long-term vision for Bulgaria's development and its consolidation as a leading factor in the region.

“Bulgaria has taken all necessary actions for the timely implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative. Its main advantage is that it will make maximum use of the already available gas transmission infrastructure," Malinov stressed during the talks with James O'Brien.

The two also discussed the steps taken to diversify the nuclear energy sector in Bulgaria, as well as the future of small modular reactors. Progress on the project for the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy NPP site was highlighted.

"The Bulgarian side has taken all necessary actions for the timely implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative. Its main advantage is that it will make maximum use of the already available gas transmission infrastructure," Malinov stressed during the talks with Ambassador James O'Brien.

The two also discussed the steps taken to diversify the nuclear energy sector in Bulgaria, as well as the future of small modular reactors. Progress on the project for the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy NPP site was highlighted.

They also agreed that Bulgaria will rely on the experience of our US partners to maintain the cybersecurity of the strategic sites in the energy sector.

During his visit to Washington, Minister Vladimir Malinov also held talks with the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Energy Resources, Kimberly Harrington.

"We are confident that with continued institutional and legislative support, the Vertical Gas Corridor will be built in the shortest possible time, ensuring the energy security of the region and allowing the continued use of Ukrainian gas infrastructure after the suspension of Russian natural gas transit from the beginning of 2025," he stressed.

Harrington reaffirmed the United States' support for the Vertical Corridor as a strategic route for US LNG supplies to the entire Southeast Europe region.

The two noted the excellent cooperation between Bulgaria and the US company Westinghouse, which will continue throughout the process of building new nuclear capacities at the Kozloduy NPP site. “The real diversification of nuclear fuel is already a fact for the Kozloduy plant, where the first US fuel assemblies will be loaded next week,” Malinov stressed.