"The investment in development of the existing network for construction of the Vertical Corridor is investment in the national security of the countries in the region. The targeted efforts of the gas transmission operators from Southeast Europe have yielded visible results and the Vertical Corridor has grown from an initiative into infrastructure already under construction with a key role for our energy security". This was said by Bulgartransgaz EAD Executive Director Vladimir Malinov during his participation in the 22nd annual conference of Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) in Athens, Greece.
During the event, members of GIE association, which unites 62 operators of gas pipeline networks, storage facilities and liquefied natural gas terminals in 28 countries, discussed the energy infrastructure future and the role of natural gas in achieving sustainable energy transition. The topic of the opening panel, in which Vladimir Malinov and the GIE President Arnaud Büx took part, was energy security and strategic prospects for Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean.
Malinov identified the Vertical Corridor as an excellent example of a regional energy project of strategic importance for the security and competitiveness of Southeast Europe. Its construction will further develop the connectivity between the gas transmission networks of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Ukraine. The implementation of the Vertical Corridor ensures facilitation of supplies from reliable partners, including increase in liquefied natural gas flows. He recalled that both projects, part of the Vertical Corridor on Bulgarian territory, are already being implemented - for increase of natural gas transmission capacity between Greece and Bulgaria, and between Bulgaria and Romania. The planned deadline for their commissioning is by mid-2026. Malinov also stressed the need for gas operators to have more freedom in decision-making in order to accelerate and improve the actions undertaken by them.
In addition, Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov presented to the participants in the annual GIE conference a route product developed by the gas transmission operators of Greece, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine for gas transmission from Greece to Ukraine with a 25% discount. The monthly gas transmission product will be offered every month for the period from June until October 2025. Its purpose is to allow Ukraine to secure part of the necessary natural gas quantities from various sources, including the US and others for the upcoming winter season.
The issue of the importance of cybersecurity for gas transmission operators was also raised during the discussion. "Undoubtedly, the work on ensuring cybersecurity for our systems is mandatory for infrastructure stability. The exchange of good practices in this area will enable gas operators to increase the security of their digital infrastructure in the best possible way," Malinov emphasized.
