site.btaPresidents Iotova, Aliyev Discuss Deepening Energy Cooperation between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan

Bulgaria's President Iliana Iotova and her Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev discussed ways to expand energy cooperation between the two countries in Baku on Sunday. Iotova is in Azerbaijan's capital for the May 17-18 Leaders' Summit at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum at the invitation of President Aliyev, the President's press secretariat said.

Iotova expressed Bulgaria's ambition to increase the volumes of gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe via Bulgaria through the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector, the statement said.

Iotova and Aliyev also discussed the development of the Solidarity Ring initiative, proposed by President (2017-2026) Rumen Radev, aimed at doubling Azerbaijan's gas exports to the EU following the signing in 2023 of a Memorandum of Cooperation among five gas transmission system operators from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Azerbaijan.

The sides also discussed the potential for a second energy corridor for the transmission of green energy by land through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye and Bulgaria, the President's press secretariat said.

Iotova highlighted the importance of Azerbaijani energy investments implemented jointly with Bulgarian companies. "These are necessary and secure investments in today's world, torn by conflicts and uncertainty," the Bulgarian President said.

Educational and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan were also on the agenda.

The delegation led by Iotova in Baku includes Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov, who chairs the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. He stressed Azerbaijan's contribution to the restoration of the Trapezitsa historical complex in Veliko Tarnovo. Panov also expressed hope that the Shusha Park project, implemented jointly with Azerbaijan, would be inaugurated in Veliko Tarnovo this autumn. Aliyev expressed interest in Panov's proposal for a park or street in Baku to be named after that Bulgarian town.

President Aliyev congratulated Bulgaria on achieving political stability after the April 19 parliamentary elections and on having a regular government. He stressed Bulgaria's strategic importance both as a recipient of Azerbaijani energy supplies and as a transit country for Europe.

The World Urban Forum was established in 2001 by the United Nations in response to accelerated urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and public policies. Held every two years in different countries, it is considered the leading international conference focused on sustainable urbanization and the future of cities.