Bulgaria and Romania
signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate their energy markets,
Bulgarian Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traycho Traykov said after
signing the instrument with Romanian Economy, Trade and Business Environment
Minister Ion Ariton.
The integration of
the two countries' energy markets will help make their energy systems more
reliable and improve economic efficiency in South East Europe, Traykov said. The
signing took place on the sidelines of a South East Europe Energy Conference in
Sofia.
"As EU countries,
Bulgaria and Romania follow the same rules, but as we also have joint projects,
this document sets principles for accelerated cooperation, including between the
two countries' energy exchanges," Traykov said. He added that the Romanian
energy exchange has been operating successfully for years, and Bulgaria aspires
to acquire an operational energy exchange by the end of
2011.
"There are many areas
in which we will derive more benefits if we cooperate," he
said.