Minister Malinov: We are planning a wider partnership with Germany in hydrogen technologies, RES, the green transition and energy security

"We outlined new perspectives for the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy. We will expand our partnership in the fields of hydrogen technologies, renewable energy, green transition, energy corridors, supply diversification and more." This was said in Thessaloniki by the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov at the signing of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of Energy and Climate Action between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany. The document was signed by Minister Malinov and Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The document was signed within the framework of the second edition of the energy forum "Energy Future Dialogue in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MEFED) - focus on energy infrastructure", which took place today in Thessaloniki. The declaration is a step forward in the development of mutually beneficial contacts between Bulgaria and Germany in the field of energy, the two ministers emphasized during the bilateral meeting before the signing. Vladimir Malinov emphasized the active role of our country in Southeast Europe to achieve diversification of energy supplies in the conditions of the changed geopolitical situation, as well as to the formation of new energy corridors, guaranteeing system security and resource independence.

During the international forum in Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Greece, Theodoros Skilakakis. The two discussed the strategic importance of Bulgarian-Greek cooperation for the energy security of the European continent. A key role is played by the already built liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis. Following its upcoming commercial commissioning on October 1st, the facility will provide European consumers with additional quantities of natural gas from secure sources at competitive prices. "Additional contribution to guaranteeing energy supplies to Europe, including Moldova and Ukraine, will be provided by the implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative - infrastructure for additional gas flows from south to north," recalled Minister Malinov. Among the topics of the conversation was the rise in electricity prices in the region of Southeast Europe. Ministers Malinov and Skilakakis united around Bulgaria, Greece and Romania taking common measures to protect consumers and businesses in the region. The two also discussed the growing need to assist Ukraine in the process of restoring its energy infrastructure in view of the upcoming winter season.

In Thessaloniki, Minister Malinov also spoke with Abdullah Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. As an important transit center for energy flows from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe, Bulgaria is in favor of strengthening the dialogue between producer countries, transit countries and countries that consume energy resources, Minister Malinov pointed out to his colleague. He emphasized that in the energy sector between the two countries there are a number of topics on which to deepen cooperation - in the use and transfer of liquefied natural gas, the development of nuclear energy, the production of energy from renewable sources, energy security and efficiency, the low-carbon economy.