Maria Gabriel asked for better cooperation with Egypt in the field of natural gas

When we talk about the memorandum of cooperation in the field of energy and natural gas in particular, it is obvious that it is essential for us. This was said by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel after her "four eyes" meeting with her Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. Gabriel was on a one-day official visit to the Arab country, BTA reported.

We have already seen especially in the last two years after Russia's war in Ukraine what is happening in this area. For Bulgaria, energy security is of particular importance. We do not stop there, saying that this is important. We want to join forces, not only to see how we can secure supplies together, but also to expand the market, commented Gabriel.

She recalled that in 2018, within the framework of the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shukri, to Bulgaria, the two countries signed an agreement to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation, with the aim of setting an appropriate bilateral framework for agreeing on political guidelines of Bulgarian-Egyptian relations and control of the implementation of the cooperation agreements and programs concluded between the two countries. Today we are sending a very strong signal - that we have excellent relations, and that it is important for us to maintain the political dialogue at the highest level, Gabriel pointed out.

My main messages are strengthening cooperation, connectivity and strategic development, she said. Gabriel pointed out that during the discussion the commitment to strengthen the political dialogue and raise our strategic partnership to another level was confirmed. We discussed the great potential for cooperation in the field of economy, trade and investment, Gabriel also said.

We are well positioned to deepen our partnerships and become a regional energy transport innovation and investment hub. She pointed out that an agreement was reached to improve all activities related to the development of the private sector and support of small and medium-sized enterprises by encouraging start-ups, especially in the field of innovation, digital and green economy.

Among the important topics that were the focus of the talks, Gabriel pointed out defense, agriculture, tourism, social contacts.

It is important for me to mention the strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), because Bulgaria will continue to support Egypt for the finalization of strategic partnerships with the EU, Gabriel also said.

For his part, Sameh Shukri stated that Bulgaria and Egypt have common interests in stability. He added that during his meeting with Maria Gabriel, they discussed the existing cooperation between the two countries, as well as the possibilities for its development.