The opening of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) is a strategically important event in the diversified energy supply of Bulgaria and Southeast Europe in general, and in the access of consumers to affordable and clean energy.

According to the information provided to "APA-Economics" by the Ministry of Energy, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said this during the opening ceremony of the IGB.

In his speech, the Minister of Energy evaluated the implementation of IGB as the beginning of an important stage in the development of TAP, as an indicator of the diversification of the Southern Gas Corridor with new branches.

"Azerbaijan is a stable and strategic source of diversified gas supply for European countries, including Bulgaria and Greece, as well as a reliable partner.

In more than a year, 13.5 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied to Europe.

1.4 billion cubic meters of it fell to Greece, and 440 million cubic meters to Bulgaria.

Gas export to Bulgaria, which was 160 million cubic meters in the first 6 months, is planned to reach 600 million cubic meters by the end of the year.

From July 1, full volume of 2.6 million cubic meters of gas is exported to Bulgaria daily, which means an increase in daily supply by 1.7 million cubic meters," the minister noted.

The minister emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries for sustainable energy security.

It was stated that the establishment of the Southern Gas Corridor, its new branch IGB, and the possibility of supplying Azerbaijani gas to Europe at the time of greatest need are the results of high-level cooperation, solidarity, mutual trust and support between our countries: "If the historic Istanbul Agreement had not been signed, the Southern Gas Corridor would not come true.

Since 2015, in the format of the Southern Gas Corridor Consultative Council, we would not have been able to achieve consistent achievements without regular close contacts, high coordination, responsible behavior and purposeful cooperation between our countries.

The Southern Gas Corridor is the biggest achievement of the EU-Azerbaijan energy partnership so far, and we intend to continue this success story."

It was noted that IGB is the harbinger of new projects in the direction of expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor in the coming years.

It should be recalled that in September 2013, "Bulgargaz EAD" signed a 25-year agreement on the purchase of 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year within the framework of "Shah Deniz-2".

In May 2019, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) was held in the Kirkovo region of Bulgaria.