The gas transmission operators of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and the operator of the Interconnection Greece-Bulgaria signed a joint letter to the national regulatory authorities. They thereby propose two new cross-border capacity products developed by them with competitive tariffs - Route 2 and Route 3. The accelerated approval of these additional products will significantly increase the potential for LNG to reach Ukraine through Greek terminals, thus enhancing the energy security and enabling the traders to choose the optimal supply routes depending on their needs, the letter emphasizes.
„The Bulgarian gas transmission operator will continue to work together with its partners to further develop and ensure the long-term implementation of natural gas route products to Ukraine from reliable sources, such as the USA. Developed in a spirit of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the three routes represent a tangible and an already working measure to increase the energy security and to ensure affordable supplies at competitive prices for the countries of Southeastern Europe. Routes 1, 2 and 3 will at the same time ensure the required opportunity for the infrastructure to provide access to reliable supplies of natural gas after the complete ban on Russian natural gas" Vladimir Malinov underlined during the signing of the document. It was signed within the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) forum in Athens in the presence of the US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, the US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and the Energy Ministers of the countries from the region.
"The most effective way for the West to weaken Russia’s war machine is through energy,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “The United States applauds Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine for taking steps to strengthen their energy security. Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to energy dominance, the United States is ready and able to supply affordable, reliable and secure American LNG to our allies in Europe".
The gas transmission operators emphasize that, as identified by the European Commission, the Vertical Corridor is a key component of the EU strategy to diversify gas transportation and phase out the reliance on Russian gas. Approving the availability of Routes 2 and 3 is directly in line with this strategy, as it leverages LNG and Caspian gas to reinforce the long-term energy security and market integration. Routes 2 and 3 from Greece to Ukraine provide additional options for gas transmission from the US and the Caspian region to Ukraine. Malinov recalled that Route 1, developed in the spring, is already successful and the market is showing interest in it, and Ukraine is already receiving natural gas from secure sources through it.
Earlier Vladimir Malinov also participated in a roundtable on liquefied natural gas issues, led by US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. The US administration presented its vision for supporting the energy sector in the region. It was highlighted that the United States has the ability to provide all the necessary quantities of liquefied natural gas to Europe after the complete halt of Russian gas supplies. „To achieve this goal, it is first and foremost necessary to have the appropriate infrastructure available, and for this reason we are working to build the Vertical Corridor, which will guarantee the transport of liquefied gas from the USA. Undoubtedly, another liquefied gas terminal will be needed in Greece. Along with infrastructure, the long-term commitments for both the suppliers, and the buyers will be the prerequisite for competitive prices and predictability. "This will increase the flows of natural gas transport, which in turn will lead to a further reduction in tariffs," Vladimir Malinov told the participants in the meeting.
