Bulgarian enterprises to receive gas directly from Azerbaijan discussed by Radev and Aliyev

Some of Bulgaria's large industrial gas consumers should receive blue fuel directly from Azerbaijan, President Rumen Radev and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, discussed at a meeting in Sofia on September 30.

The meeting also discussed a proposal by the interconnector operators of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia to transit the additional gas volumes Azerbaijan agreed with the European Commission earlier this year.

"I would like to share with satisfaction the fact that the active dialogue at high and the highest level in recent years has elevated our relations to the level of a strategic partnership. Azerbaijan is a welcome, priority and reliable partner," Rumen Radev said.

The Bulgarian Head of State stressed that the gas link with Greece, which will be put into operation tomorrow, gives a strategic dimension to the cooperation between the two countries.

"It is important not only for our country, but also for the region of Central, Western and Southern Europe. It changes the energy map of Europe decisively. It goes far beyond the dimensions of an infrastructure site, because it is a catalyst for unlocking the potential of economic cooperation in our region. This link consolidates our strategic partnership and is the result of Mr Aliyev's commitment a decade ago and I want to thank him for keeping his promise," Radev said.

The proposal to transit gas to Western Europe via Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia will also be the topic of tomorrow's high-level talks with the other leaders arriving in Sofia for the opening of the interconnector. Among them are EC President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic; President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovsk; Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciuca.

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, assured that further measures would be taken in the field of energy security and described the commissioning of the interconnector with Greece as an event of historic importance.

"Today, we discussed the supply of additional quantities and volumes. You can appreciate the importance of accelerating deliveries for our partners. It is now more important than ever to act quickly. Over the years, Azerbaijan has proven itself as a gas exporter, now we are continuing with the supplies and once again we are proving that we are a reliable supplier," Aliyev pointed out.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of President Rumen Radev.

After the official welcoming ceremony, the Presidents held a face-to-face meeting at the Presidency. Plenary talks between the official delegations of Bulgaria and Azerbaijan took place.