The caretaker government will prepare a working version of the Coal Region Transition Strategy

As part of his participation in the Ministerial Meeting of the Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (R-TECC) Partnership, held in Warsaw, Energy Minister Andrei Zhivkov spoke with EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy. Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia Zorana Mihajlovic. During these meetings, Minister Zhivkov discussed with his interlocutors key energy projects for our country, the Ministry of Energy announced.

The development of a strategy for a smooth transition of the country's coal regions was the main topic of conversation between Minister Zhivkov and Commissioner Simson. The lack of such a strategy is one of the main obstacles to the submission of the Recovery and Sustainability Plan to the EC. Minister Zhivkov confirmed the ambition of the caretaker government, despite its limited mandate, to prepare at least a working version of the strategy, which will provide a vision for the future of the coal regions. "We found a situation where nothing was done with this strategy. We have started work on the document, but we need a little more time for its successful completion, "said Minister Zhivkov.

Progress in building the Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS) interconnection was the main topic of Minister Zhivkov's talks with Serbian counterpart Zorana Mihajlovic. Minister Zhivkov informed Ms. Mihajlovic about the completion of the procedure for selection of a contractor for the construction activities, which is currently being appealed by four participants. "Nevertheless, we are confident that the Bulgarian side will build the relationship in time," said Minister Zhivkov.

The two ministers agreed that the project is key to diversifying the sources and routes for natural gas supply to the region, especially in synergy with the construction of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnection.

The forthcoming interconnection of the two countries' electricity markets was also among the topics discussed. Minister Zhivkov acquainted Ms. Mihajlovic with the already realized connection of the Bulgarian with the Greek market, the forthcoming with the Romanian and in the future - with the Serbian. This will further facilitate trade in electricity between the two countries, the two ministers agreed.