BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Azerbaijan sees Bulgaria as an energy and transportation hub within the eurozone, the Azerbaijani Ambassador Huseyn Huseynov told Euronews Bulgaria, Trend reports.
"Bulgaria and Azerbaijan share numerous similarities in terms of culture and traditions. Our countries are important allies, and friendly relations have grown substantially in recent years in a variety of areas," noted the ambassador.
He emphasized cooperation in the energy sector and pointed out the potential for development in other areas such as transportation, information technology, agriculture, and tourism.
"We have always believed that Bulgaria should be both an energy and transportation hub. The SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) office established in Sofia in late April 2023, and it is well-known throughout the region and involved in numerous projects. As a result, this office functions as the regional headquarters, not just for Bulgaria," Huseynov stressed.
He reminded that in April 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, among the leaders of several European countries, signed a Memorandum regarding the "Solidarity Ring" gas project, enhancing Bulgaria's role as a gas distribution hub, in Sofia.Начало формы
Bulgaria has been receiving Azerbaijani gas since 2021 under a 25-year contract signed in 2013 with the Shah Deniz consortium.
Since early 2023, Bulgaria has reached the peak of its contracted gas purchases with Shah Deniz - one billion cubic meters per year.
Moreover this autumn, SOCAR independently supplied free volumes of gas to Bulgaria at the request of its government.
