FM: Regular high-level visits - key to successful partnership between Bulgaria, Azerbaijan

Against the backdrop of global challenges and unstable geopolitical situation in the world, Baku and Sofia continue to strengthen dialogue, opening new prospects for deepening cooperation. Bilateral relations are developing dynamically, covering key strategic initiatives, among which the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) is a crucial element of Europe's energy security.

In recent years, the partnership between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria has reached a new level thanks to the successful implementation of joint projects, including the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria through the Gas Interconnector Greece–Bulgaria (IGB).

Now Bulgaria is expected to join the underwater green energy cable project across the Black Sea bottom - a flagship electricity project for supplying energy from Azerbaijan to Europe.

In an interview with Report, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, participating in the 12th Global Baku Forum, assessed the current state of Azerbaijani-Bulgarian relations, highlighted key areas of cooperation, and emphasized the importance of regular high-level visits as an important tool for strengthening the strategic partnership.

- Do you see the need for further strengthening political cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, or does the current level already fully correspond to the strategic interests of both countries?

- Historically, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have strong and friendly relations. Last year, we significantly strengthened our strategic dialogue. Azerbaijani-Bulgarian cooperation is developing in many areas: energy, culture, and other fields. For us, the further development and deepening of partnership in all areas of mutual interest remains priority. It is in this direction that Bulgaria intends to move in the future.

- What areas do you consider the most promising for expanding our bilateral cooperation? How important are cultural or tourism ties in establishing relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria?

- I would like to start with the second part of your question. Culture and tourism are always among the best tools for bringing countries closer together, as they contribute to the development of contacts, strengthening mutual understanding, respect, and friendship between peoples. I am convinced that Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have a strong historical connection, which serves as a reliable foundation for the further development of our political and economic relations. Speaking about promising areas of cooperation, it is obvious that we have mutual interests in energy and industry. Based on this, we can actively develop interaction in other areas of mutual interest as well. Our countries play a significant role in their regions. Bulgaria is located at a geopolitically important crossroads between Europe and Asia, being a key trade and transport hub, a kind of gateway to Europe and the European Union. All this creates broad opportunities for further deepening our cooperation. At the same time, the high level of political dialogue and strong ties between our governments serve as a reliable guarantee for the successful development of bilateral relations.

- What specific steps is Bulgaria taking to expand the infrastructure needed to increase Azerbaijani gas supplies? Are there any plans for new projects or modernization of existing facilities?

- It is gratifying that we have established strong cooperation in the field of energy and energy diversification. Energy diversification and the availability of more sources of energy resources are important not only for Bulgaria but also for our entire region of Central and Eastern Europe. This is of paramount importance for our national energy security. Now we are working hard and making efforts to create green energy corridors. In this regard, Bulgaria is interested in investing in this direction, as well as in the construction of additional land facilities. That is, we will continue this work.

- Next month, on April 4, Baku will host the 11th ministerial meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) and the 3rd ministerial meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council. Which representatives of the Bulgarian leadership plan to participate in this meeting? What are Bulgaria's key expectations?

- As far as I know, my colleague, the Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Zhecho Stankov, will arrive in Baku. I am convinced that the upcoming discussions and the outcomes of the meetings will be as productive as possible.

In continuation of my previous answer, I would like to emphasize that our goal is not only to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, but also to actively develop green energy corridors, as well as new infrastructure projects that will soon begin to be implemented. It is important not just to maintain the already achieved level of interaction, but also to deepen it, revealing new perspectives for sustainable and long-term partnership.

- In conclusion, I would like to touch upon the issue of high-level visits. Can we expect such a visit from Bulgaria to Azerbaijan this year?

- We are actively working on organizing many visits, and I hope that they will be both from Bulgaria to Azerbaijan and vice versa. The more visits at various levels, the more stable and productive our relations are. These visits are also a clear indicator of our successful cooperation, interaction between our peoples and government agencies, they strengthen and stimulate the interaction of various state structures. I am confident that this year, like many previous ones, will be successful for bilateral relations.