site.btaEnergy Minister Stankov, Commissioner Jorgensen Discuss Key Regional Infrastructure Projects

Bulgaria's Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen have discussed the implementation of infrastructure projects of key importance for the region, the Energy Ministry said Tuesday. Meeting in Brussels, they stressed the need of strengthening electricity and gas connectivity. The accelerated development of the Vertical Gas Corridor was discussed in this context.

The Green Energy Corridor initiative was also a topic of discussion, based on the established strategic partnership in green energy among the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary. Bulgaria has supported the project from its inception and has received a joint invitation to join the four countries' agreement. The project is of strategic importance for strengthening regional and national energy security, and Bulgaria can play a key role in it. Also, discussions are underway on the strengthening of regional energy cooperation among Bulgaria, Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia, with a focus on the transmission of, and trade in, green electricity.

The meeting highlighted the need to implement long-term solutions to ensure affordable electricity prices at both national and regional levels. "If the EU steps up its ambitions without allowing time for markets to adapt, the burden will fall on taxpayers," said Stankov. He disagreed with such an approach, saying that it runs counter to the goals of the EU Competitiveness Compass.

Stankov set forth the government's key energy priorities, which will be incorporated into the governance program. "Bulgaria will work towards diversifying energy sources, developing nuclear energy and green technologies, and improving energy efficiency," he said.

Challenges related to the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) were also discussed. Stankov inherited several stalled reforms in the energy sector, which puts the second payment under the NRRP plan at risk. "Activating the NRRP must be a joint effort between Bulgaria and the European Commission, and it would be a success for both sides," Stankov said. According to him, given the limited time, the government has taken steps to address these challenges in the most efficient way possible.

As part of his two-day working visit to Brussels, the Energy Minister also held meetings with Ditte Juul Jorgensen, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission; Peter Van Kemseke,  Green Deal advisor to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; and Miguel Gil Tertre, Head of Cabinet to Teresa Ribera, First Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for  Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and Commissioner for Competitiveness.

Earlier on Tuesday, Stankov participated in an online meeting of Nuclear Alliance ministers.

Later in the day, Stankov is scheduled to meet with the Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, and with MEP Andrey Novakov from the European People's Party. The discussions will focus on the current prospects of the EU's policy on national-level initiatives.