Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that discussions have been underway for a considerable time between Turkey's state-owned energy company Botas and Bulgaria's public gas supplier Bulgargaz regarding possible revisions to their existing agreement. Speaking in an interview with BTA, Fidan said the talks are being guided by the principles of mutual benefit, protection of the commercial and legal interests of both parties, and adaptation to current realities.
According to the Turkish foreign minister, Ankara hopes to build on the existing arrangement by negotiating a broader energy partnership with Bulgaria. "Our goal is to further develop our relations by signing a comprehensive energy cooperation agreement, which will include an increase in natural gas transmission capacity between Turkey and Bulgaria," he said.
Fidan recalled that the Botas-Bulgargaz agreement was signed in 2023 after Bulgaria lost access to Russian gas supplies and was forced to seek alternative sources of energy. He described the deal as a strategic step aimed at securing Bulgaria's energy needs during a period of uncertainty.
"Bulgaria was faced with a disruption in the energy supply chain and was looking for alternative sources. This was a strategic move to secure Bulgaria's supplies," Fidan noted.
