Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Entry of Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR on the Bulgarian household gas supply market would benefit consumers, Bulgaria’s Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said in an interview with Trend.
She recalled that the possibility for SOCAR to invest in household gas supply in Bulgaria was one of the topics discussed in the recent visit of Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the government delegation to Baku.
“As we know SOCAR has implemented a similar project in Georgia and its entry on the Bulgarian household gas supply market would benefit consumers: the increase of competition reduces prices and improves quality,” said Petkova.
The minister pointed out that one option is Azerbaijani gas to be included in energy aids as an alternative to heating vouchers.
“This perspective will be analyzed in detail in order to clarify the exact parameters,” she added.
Further, Petkova talked about the prospects for SOCAR’s participation in the project for expansion of Chiren underground gas storage facility in the country.
She noted that the future for cooperation under the project is regulated in the memorandum signed last year between the two companies – Bulgartransgas and SOCAR.
“The possible involvement of SOCAR in the project would be another opportunity for our country to enhance its cooperation with Azerbaijan,” added the minister.
Earlier, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said when making press statements together with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Baku that SOCAR will soon study options of gas supply in Bulgaria.
“I think that SOCAR’s investment activity in Bulgaria in connection with gas supply may be an important event for both SOCAR and Bulgarian consumers. The corresponding instructions have been given. I am sure that the talks will begin soon," he added.
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