Maya Hristova: Energy diplomacy is gaining enormous importance in the new international environment

Bulgaria's energy policy is fully in line with the EU's energy policy, so as to ensure security, competitiveness and efficient use of resources, with zero emissions by 2050. This was assured by the adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Maya Hristova during the 12th edition of the international seminar "Energy and climate diplomacy". The organizer of the five-day seminar is the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BTA recalls.

According to her, Bulgaria is an important energy partner in the region and a reliable EU member state.

"We share efforts at the European level to increase investment in energy efficiency, future-oriented energy infrastructure, including interconnection, storage and innovative renewable technologies," the adviser said. In addition, Bulgaria is also active in the implementation of strategic and infrastructural initiatives important for the EU for the diversification of energy supplies.

Diversification of energy supplies is actually one of Bulgaria's leading priorities, because it will guarantee the country's energy security and competitive prices for Bulgarian consumers. Hristova is categorical that the country has made great progress in recent months in this direction.

On the issue of the phase-out of fossil fuels, she believes that the exit from them should not be at the expense of public well-being, and this is the reason why energy security and accessibility are key issues for Bulgaria.

However, the country is determined to end its dependence on Russian energy supplies.

"We are also against any attempt to use energy as a weapon and the destabilization of partner countries," the advisor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed out.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world is facing a radical change, new crises and conflicts, growing global instability and challenges to the EU's energy security, Hristova also pointed out, adding that these are processes that undermine the foundations of international law. She defined as "illusory" the feeling of solving new crises and problems that appeared after the start of Russia's war against Ukraine.

The transition from fossil fuels to reliable renewable sources will lead to a significant change in the relationship between energy producing and consuming countries, the advisor believes, defining this transition as a race to net zero and intensifying competition in clean technologies, because only the advanced in this process will reap the fruits of the new energy status quo.

"In the new international environment, energy diplomacy acquires great importance", Maya Hristova also pointed out during her address to the participants of the seminar.