Ukraine has launched the first pilot delivery of natural gas from Azerbaijan using the Trans-Balkan corridor. The supply route runs from Bulgaria through Romania to the Ukrainian border.
This marks the result of consistent efforts and negotiations coordinated by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine at various levels, particularly following the Ukrainian Energy Minister’s visit to Baku in July as part of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The gas purchase agreement was concluded between NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and a company from the SOCAR Group — SOCAR Energy Ukraine.
"Although the current volumes are small, this is of strategic importance, as it opens the door to long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries. In addition, this is another clear example of successful diversification of energy supply sources — a critically important factor for reliable preparations for the heating season and its stable passage," emphasized the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Svitlana Grynchuk.
The Minister highlighted that the Trans-Balkan pipeline is of exceptional significance for Ukraine, as it provides access to new gas sources: liquefied natural gas delivered from around the world to Greek and Turkish LNG terminals; Azerbaijani gas transported via the TAP pipeline; as well as Romanian and potentially Bulgarian offshore gas production.
