ArmInfo. The Ministers of Energy of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria convened their regular meeting in Istanbul on November 22. According to Turkish media reports special attention was paid to projects focused on creating efficient electricity supply chains.
Specifically, the parties discussed the potential for implementing an underwater electric cable that would connect the energy networks of the participating countries and enhance opportunities for electricity trading, This would also contribute to the development of a reliable and competitive energy system in the Black Sea region.
The discussion also touched upon the current challenges facing energy policy, which include the need to diversify energy sources and increase the sustainability of the energy infrastructure. It is worth recallig that on September 3, the 8th meeting of the ministers from the four countries was held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, The purpose of the meeting was to implement the "Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary ", signed on December 17, 2022 in Bucharest.
This agreement provides for the laying of a cable along the bottom of the Black Sea, (will take 3-4 years - ed.), with a length of 1,195 km for the transmission of electricity with a capacity of 1 GW. Azerbaijani electricity will be supplied through Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania for subsequent transportation to Hungary. Bulgaria also expressed interest in joining the project in June 2023.
It is noteworthy that earlier, in the context of the development of relations between Yerevan and Brussels, EU officials spoke about the importance of involving Armenia in this trans-border and significant project of the Black Sea submarine cable. For example, on April 5, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned during a joint briefing with the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, that the EU will invest in Armenia, primarily, in infrastructure projects, such as the Black Sea power cable project, "which presents numerous opportunities." Additionally, Gevorg Papoyan, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, reported that work is underway in Armenia to create the necessary infrastructure to support the upcoming processes within the framework of this project. However, it appears that Armenia is actually being overlooked as a participant in this international cross-border project. Independent observers have noted that the country's isolation persists, despite the painted "crossroads" of its leadership.
