A new round of negotiations on gas cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey is being prepared, as Bulgarian authorities seek to revise the terms of their agreement with Turkey’s pipeline operator BOTAS.
Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov confirmed that a formal proposal has already been submitted to the Turkish side, following internal coordination within the ministry and state-owned energy companies.
The Bulgarian position has been set out in a detailed memorandum, described as technically complex and designed to protect national energy interests. Officials expect it to form the basis for upcoming bilateral negotiations.
Beyond gas relations, the government is also focused on mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices. Minister Traikov noted that Bulgaria acted early within the European Union by introducing a package of measures aimed at cushioning households and limiting inflationary pressures. While global price trends remain outside national control, he emphasized that targeted and temporary interventions have helped protect vulnerable consumers and have been recognized at the EU level.
Energy policy discussions also extend to the role of coal-fired generation. Bulgaria is among the countries advocating a reassessment of coal’s position in Europe’s energy mix, particularly in the context of external shocks. According to Traikov, maintaining domestic generation capacity remains essential for system stability and energy security, especially when other systems face constraints.
At the same time, the expansion of nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant remains a long-term strategic priority. The planned new units are seen as a key element of Bulgaria’s future energy system, with authorities aiming to ensure smoother implementation by avoiding delays and cost overruns that have affected similar large-scale infrastructure projects in the past.
