Minister Malinov: In cooperation, the countries of the Southeast European region will achieve their goal of energy security

"In cooperation and coordination, the countries of the Southeast European region will achieve their goal of energy security. Our joint work on energy connectivity, diversification, increasing the share of clean energy and achieving climate neutrality will contribute to the development of the region." This was said by the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov during his participation in the eighth edition of the "Energy Forum for Southeast Europe".

The event, which takes place today in Thessaloniki, is organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Atlantic Council. Minister Malinov participated in a round table on the topic "Energy cooperation in South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region: A turning point for EU energy security" together with his colleagues - the Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece - Theodoros Skilakakis, the Minister of Energy of Romania Sebastian Burduja and others.

During the discussion, Minister Malinov noted that in the process of increasing the share of green energy, the competitiveness of the economies in the region should be preserved.

"In cooperation with all countries, we must build the necessary electricity network to ensure access to energy at affordable prices for businesses and consumers," stressed Minister Vladimir Malinov. He noted that there are currently serious differences in electricity prices between the regions of Southeast Europe and Central and Western Europe.

"We expect the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis to be put into commercial operation on October 1st. This is an excellent example of the successful cooperation between the countries, thanks to which energy security in the region will be guaranteed," said Minister Malinov. As other good examples in this field, he outlined the Vertical Gas Corridor and the project to connect the energy system of Europe and North Africa. "The countries of the region must develop a joint project that we can raise to a strategic level with our partners from the USA. A potential such project would be to strengthen the power transmission network and produce its own energy," added Malinov.

"Our cooperation with partners from the United States of America also makes a significant contribution to achieving energy security in the region," the energy minister emphasized. "In Bulgaria, thanks to our joint work with the USA, the fuel for the 5th unit of the Kozloduy NPP has already been diversified after it was successfully put into operation in May."