BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. Bulgaria is interested in signing a contract with Azerbaijan for additional gas supplies when it is technically possible, said Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov, Trend reports.
“I am convinced that Azerbaijan remains a reliable supplier and will fulfill the terms of our existing contract. They will start gas transportation in the full agreed volume immediately after October 1,” he told Bulgarian media after his visit to Azerbaijan.
The expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is planned for the next 3-4 years, was also discussed, said the minister.
"They offered us, if we are interested, to participate there as well. We want all options to be open", explained Stoyanov.
Bulgaria is expected to get gas from Azerbaijan via the interconnector with Greece (IGB), which is set to be launched on October 1.
The IGB project is of key importance for increasing security of supply and for ensuring diversification of natural gas sources for Bulgaria and the region of Southeast Europe. At the regional level, IGB will provide access to the gas transmission network for Bulgarian municipalities and regions that didn’t have an option for connectivity. The interconnector with Greece is an entirely new route for the transmission of natural gas to Europe and will give Bulgaria and the region access to supplies from new sources. The project will connect the country with the Southern Gas Corridor and has excellent synergy with other major energy projects such as TAP, TANAP, EastMed and the LNG terminal at Alexandroupolis.
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