Bulgaria to assist Ukraine in restoring energy infrastructure

Bulgaria will assist Ukraine in the process of restoring the energy infrastructure. Deepening cooperation in the energy sector is of mutual interest for both countries, caretaker Minister of Energy, Vladimir Malinov, said during a meeting with Olesya Ilashchuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Bulgaria on April 24.

They discussed the possibilities of Bulgaria to provide adequate and timely support to Ukraine in the short and long term.

Minister Malinov and Ambassador Ilashchuk also discussed the issue of the potential sale of parts of the Belene NPP equipment to Ukraine in connection with the decision of the National Assembly of July 2023.

In the words of caretaker Minister Malinov, the Bulgarian side will take the necessary steps to implement the process as soon as possible.

The issue of securing alternative gas supplies for Ukraine after the suspension of Russian natural gas transportation through Ukrainian territory was also discussed.

"The implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative is of strategic importance for the energy security in the region of South-Eastern Europe. The upgrade of the already existing infrastructure will allow the transmission of additional volumes of alternative supplies to Ukraine," Malinov stressed during the meeting.

In his words, the Vertical Corridor will ensure continued operation of the gas transmission network and underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine.