Moldova and Bulgaria sign MoU on energy cooperation and crisis management
Moldova and Bulgaria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure electricity and natural gas supplies and to effectively manage potential energy crises.
The agreement was signed by Victor Parlicov, Moldova's Minister of Energy, and his Bulgarian counterpart, Vladimir Malinov, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Energy, the MoU mandates the creation of a Joint Energy Working Group within 30 days of the signing. This group will bring together representatives from the energy ministries of both countries, as well as operators of the electricity and natural gas transport systems. Its primary task will be to develop and implement a Joint Action Plan and solidarity measures to be activated in the event of an energy crisis, at the request of either party.
The Joint Action Plan will include measures to maintain balance in energy and gas transport networks, and it will facilitate Moldovan companies' access to storage infrastructure and energy markets in Bulgaria. The MoU also outlines solidarity measures that will be implemented during a crisis, ensuring that these actions will not compromise the energy security of the supplying country.
Additionally, the document highlights Moldova's efforts to integrate into the European Union’s single energy market and contributes to the EU and Energy Community's objectives of ensuring solidarity and stability in energy supply.
A similar MoU on energy cooperation is also expected to be signed with Turkey. An agreement in this regard was reached during a meeting between Minister Victor Parlicov and his Turkish counterpart, Alparslan Bayraktar, at the COP29 conference in Baku.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
