site.btaEnergy Minister Malinov, Assistant Secretary O'Brien Reaffirm Strategic Cooperation between Bulgaria and USA

On the last day of his visit to Washington, Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov held key meetings at the US State Department, the ministry's press office said on Thursday. He and Ambassador James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, discussed progress on the priority projects for both countries to build new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the Vertical Gas Corridor. The two officials emphasized their mutual commitment to continuing and deepening cooperation in all energy sectors.

Malinov stressed that Bulgaria has taken all necessary actions for the timely implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative, which will make the most of the already available gas transmission infrastructure. The two also discussed the steps taken to diversify the nuclear energy sector in Bulgaria, as well as the future of small modular reactors. Progress on the project for the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy NPP site was highlighted. They also agreed that Bulgaria will rely on the experience of the US partners to maintain the cybersecurity of the strategic sites in the energy sector.

Minister Malinov also held talks with the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Energy Resources, Kimberly Harrington. "We are confident that with continued institutional and legislative support the Vertical Gas Corridor will be built in the shortest possible time, ensuring the energy security of the region and allowing the continued use of Ukrainian gas infrastructure after the suspension of Russian natural gas transit from the beginning of 2025," Malinov said. Harrington reaffirmed the United States' support for the Vertical Corridor as a strategic route for US LNG supplies to the entire Southeast Europe region.

The two officials noted the excellent cooperation between Bulgaria and the US company Westinghouse, which will continue throughout the process of building new nuclear capacities at the Kozloduy NPP site. Malinov pointed out that the real diversification of nuclear fuel is already a fact for the Kozloduy plant, where the first US fuel assemblies will be loaded next week.