site.btaEnergy Minister Stankov Confers with Head of EC's Directorate General Energy Ditte Juul Jorgensen

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov held a working meeting with the Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General "Energy", Ditte Juul Jorgensen, Stankov's Ministry reported on Friday.

"Strong connectivity and a unified approach are the path to a stable energy environment in the region," said Stankov during the meeting. The meeting is part of the ongoing dialogue between Bulgaria and the European Commission on strategic energy issues, particularly regarding the proposed REPowerEU Regulation.

During their discussions, the two addressed a number of key issues for the development of the sector in the context of the REPowerEU proposal and Bulgaria’s role, taking into account the strong interconnectivity of the electricity grid and the country’s leading role in ensuring the security and sustainability of energy supplies in Southeastern Europe.

Minister Stankov emphasized that Bulgaria holds strategic importance for the energy security of the entire region, with its geographical location making it a key player in energy transit and supply diversification. He highlighted the importance of coordinated actions at the European level in effectively addressing current challenges related to the sector's competitiveness. 

“Bulgaria is a reliable partner of the European Commission in efforts for diversification, connectivity, and sustainability. Our main priority is to ensure stable supply and predictable energy prices for citizens and businesses,” Minister Stankov stated. The two also discussed the accelerated work on the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor, which will provide diversification of sources and routes for natural gas transmission, contributing to the gradual phase-out of Russian gas supplies in the region.

The bilateral meeting was followed by expert technical discussions on the REPowerEU proposal and an agreement on a bilateral work plan.