Sofia and Ankara seek a way out of the disputed "Botas" contract and outline a broader energy partnership

Bulgaria and Turkey are working to rethink the heavily criticized contract between the state supplier "Bulgargaz" and the Turkish gas company "Botas". This became clear during today's visit to Sofia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, "Hakan Fidan". The agreement, which has been subject to sharp public and political debates in our country, became a central focus in the talks between the two sides.

The contract was signed in January 2023 by the caretaker government of "Galab Donev" (currently Minister of Finance), appointed by the then-president "Rumen Radev". The contract provides Bulgaria with access to Turkish liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and to Turkey's gas transmission network for regasification and transport of up to "1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year". At the same time, it stipulates that our country must pay nearly "half a million dollars (euros) per day" for access and transmission through the infrastructure of "Botas" for a period of "13 years", regardless of whether it actually uses these services or not.

Energy took a leading place among the topics discussed during Fidan's visit to Sofia. In addition to energy issues, "security", "transport connectivity", and "economic cooperation" were also on the table, reports "BTA". Thus, the disputed contract with "Botas" fits into a broader context of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister "Rumen Radev" emphasized that Turkey is a "key partner" for Bulgaria in the areas of "security", "migration", "energy", and "transport". He pointed out that "over 2200 Turkish companies" operate in our country, and bilateral trade for "2024" has reached "7.7 billion euros". Radev also highlighted the importance of the "joint mine countermeasures group" in the Black Sea, in which Bulgaria, Turkey, and Romania participate, and defined it as an important factor for regional security.

Vice President "Iliana Iotova" discussed with Hakan Fidan regional connectivity projects, including "rail infrastructure" and the possibility of a "ferry line between Burgas and Istanbul". She highlighted the importance of the "green energy corridor", which should connect "Georgia", "Azerbaijan", "Turkey", and "Bulgaria" as a channel for transmitting renewable energy to Europe.

During his meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister "Velislava Petrova", Hakan Fidan stated that "Turkey is carefully following the Botas topic". According to him, President "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan" has given instructions "for this issue to be resolved as quickly as possible". Fidan clarified that the problem is being handled primarily by the "ministries of energy" of the two countries, and the Turkish side believes that bilateral relations have the potential for realizing "larger strategic projects".

"Ever since Mr. Radev has been president, we have been carefully following this topic," Fidan said regarding the contract with "Botas". "We held a series of discussions both with him and with our president, and the respective ministers were instructed to work on finding a solution. Now that he is prime minister, we discussed the issue again today. Of course, this is a topic that is primarily being worked on by the energy ministries of the two states. Nevertheless, we believe that the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey have the potential for much larger and strategic projects. In this context, we believe that this issue will be resolved more easily".

Bulgarian Foreign Minister "Velislava Petrova" emphasized that "a significant part of the strategic parameters" of the contract are under the competence of the "Ministry of Energy". "It is important to note that the negotiations in the energy sector between Bulgaria and Turkey are much broader than the contract with Botas," she stated at a joint press conference with her Turkish counterpart.

"Possibilities for increasing capacity, developing new energy corridors, as well as initiatives related to the green transition are being discussed. Cooperation in the energy sector should be viewed in a wider context. There are also technical parameters on which the respective companies from both sides are working. I can assure you that at the political level, all possibilities are being sought to expand the partnership in areas of mutual interest and mutual benefit. Therefore, our relations should not be viewed solely through the prism of the Botas contract," Petrova emphasized.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also pointed out that the "memorandum of cooperation in the electricity sector" has contributed to an increase in bilateral trade, which according to Ankara now exceeds "8.4 billion euros". Fidan also announced that Turkey is starting "exploration activities for oil and gas in the Khan Tervel field", which further highlights Ankara's ambitions in the energy sector in the region.

During the talks, Fidan and the Bulgarian representatives also discussed security issues in the Black Sea. The Turkish side emphasized the importance of the "mine countermeasures group" and its intention to develop it further. Other topics included "joint actions against illegal migration" and plans for building a "new border checkpoint" north of the existing "Kapitan Andreevo–Kapikule".

Ankara expressed gratitude to Bulgaria for its support in the process of Turkey's "European integration". Hakan Fidan emphasized that EU initiatives in the field of defense should be "inclusive" and not exclude partners like Turkey. He also highlighted the role of the "Muslim community in Bulgaria" as an important factor for the development of bilateral relations and a bridge between the two states.