A recent meeting between the energy ministers of Bulgaria and Turkey in Istanbul highlighted Bulgaria's intention to reevaluate the existing gas supply agreement with the Turkish companies "Bulgargaz" and "Botas." This move follows the Bulgarian National Assembly's directive to the caretaker minister, Vladimir Malinov, to initiate steps towards renegotiation, particularly due to the substantial daily payments owed by Bulgaria to Turkey for unused gas capacity.
Both Vladimir Malinov and his Turkish counterpart, Alparslan Bayraktar, have signaled their commitment to maintaining cooperation aimed at enhancing energy supply diversification and security. The ministers have entrusted the management of "Bulgargaz" and "Botas" to collaborate on revising the agreement, indicating a mutual willingness to address the current challenges and improve the terms of the gas supply deal between the two countries.
In addition to the gas supply agreement, the energy ministers also explored opportunities to enhance connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkey's electricity and gas transmission systems. This discussion underscores a broader commitment to strengthening energy infrastructure and fostering greater integration between the two nations in the energy sector, ultimately aiming to enhance energy security and reliability for both countries.