site.btaGas Talks with Turkiye Advancing Very Quickly, Bulgarian Energy Minister Says

Bulgaria's negotiations with Turkiye for the purchase, supply and transit of natural gas are advancing at a very fast pace. This emerged at a meeting between caretaker Energy Minister Rosen Hristov and the management of Turkiye's state-owned oil and gas company Botas, which was held in Istanbul on Saturday, the Bulgarian Energy Ministry said.

On Friday, Hristov talked with Turkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez, who had invited him to the inauguration of Europe's largest natural gas storage facility near Istanbul. Hristov was the only foreign energy minister at the inauguration ceremony. The main parameters in a long-term capacity agreement for gas terminals in Turkiye and for Botas' transmission network are expected to be finalized next week, the press release said.

During his visit, the Energy Minister was accompanied by Bulgargaz Director Denitsa Zlateva, Bulgartransgaz Director Vladimir Malinov, and the Minister's Chief of Cabinet Lyubomira Gancheva.

After his visit to Turkiye, Hristov left for Bolhrad, Ukraine.

The talks in Istanbul were aimed to build upon President Rumen Radev's meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoagn on December 9. The two presidents discussed cooperation in the economy, energy, migration control, security and transport connectivity.