site.btaEnergy Sector Occupies Key Place in Bulgaria-Azerbaijan Relations, Energy Minister Stankov Says

Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of Bulgaria, the energy sector occupies a key place in our bilateral relations, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at a meeting with Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Bulgaria Huseyn Huseynov and representatives of the Azeri state energy company SOCAR. At the meeting various opportunities for cooperation were discussed, touching upon issues of common interest for both countries in the energy sector, the press centre of the Energy ministry said Thursday.

"Azerbaijan plays an important role as a source for diversification of natural gas supplies and, accordingly, for enhancing energy security in Bulgaria and the region," Minister Zhecho Stankov said.

The Green Energy Corridor project between the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary, which Bulgaria supports and identifies as key to strengthening regional and national energy security and improving interconnectivity, was discussed at the meeting.

SOCAR representatives expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Bulgarian side. Currently, the Azeri company supplies Bulgaria with 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year through Greece and the Greece-Bulgaria gas link.