site.btaAnkara to Cooperate with Sofia in Guaranteeing Energy Security

Sofia, September 6 (BTA) - "The Republic of Turkey is prepared for any energy cooperation with the Republic of Bulgaria which will lead to security of energy supply," Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak said here on Wednesday. Albayrak, who paid a one-day visit to this country, was received by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova, the Government Information Service said in a press release.

The guest greeted his hosts on the holiday of Bulgaria's Unification.

The sides discussed deepening of bilateral energy cooperation in natural gas and electricity. The agenda included the implementation of joint projects which will lead to security and diversification of natural gas supply and to achieving competitive prices for industrial and household users. "Bulgaria and Turkey are strategic partners: the natural streams of natural gas pass through the two countries," Borissov pointed out. The Turkish Minister was briefed on the concept of development of a Balkan European Gas Distribution Centre, which should be implemented in compliance with EU legislation. All entry points and exit points for natural gas supply, including Turkey as an entry point, will be considered within the feasibility study, it was pointed out during the meeting.

Petkova recalled the ongoing modernization and extension of the Bulgarian gas transmission network. This will enable an increase of the capacity for transit from Bulgaria to Turkey, and reverse-flow supply to Bulgaria will be possible as well. The Energy Minister also noted the strategic importance of the Turkey-Bulgaria gas interconnector, on which the two countries continue to work.

The Turkish side expressed interest in exploring opportunities for building additional power transmission lines to ensure an increase of the capacity for electricity export from Bulgaria to Turkey.