site.btaCaretaker Energy Minister Malinov Attends 8th Southeast Europe Energy Forum in Thessaloniki

Bulgaria’s caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov took part in the 8th Southeast Europe Energy Forum which was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on Friday, his ministry said in a press release. The event is organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Atlantic Council.

According to Malinov, countries in Southeast Europe will achieve energy security through cooperation and coordination. "Our joint work on energy connectivity, diversification, increasing the share of clean energy and achieving climate neutrality, will contribute to the development of the region," he told the forum.

Alongside his Greek counterpart Theodoros Skylakakis and Romanian counterpart Sebastian Burduja, Energy Minister Malinov participated in a roundtable focused on energy cooperation in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region. During the discussion, Malinov stressed that the competitiveness of regional economies should be preserved in the process of increasing the share of green energy.

"We expect the LNG terminal in [the Greek city of] Alexandroupolis to be put into commercial operation on October 1. This is an excellent example of the successful cooperation between the countries, which will ensure energy security in the region," Malinov said. He mentioned the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Euro-North Africa energy cooperation project as other good examples in this field. The countries in the region should develop a strategic joint project with the US to reinforce their power grid and produce their own energy, Bulgaria’s Energy Minister added.

"Cooperation with our partners from the United States also makes a significant contribution to achieving energy security in the region," Malinov underscored. "In Bulgaria, thanks to our joint work with the US, the fuel for Unit 5 of the Kozloduy NPP is already diversified after its successful loading in May."