A joint energy working group will bring together representatives of the Moldovan and Bulgarian Ministries of Energy and transmission system operators for gas and electricity. The role of the group is to develop and implement a plan of joint actions and solidarity measures, to be activated in case of an energy crisis at the request of either party. The Moldovan-Bulgarian group will be set up within 30 days of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Energy Minister Victor Parlicov and his Bulgarian counterpart Vladimir Malinov on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, IPN reports.

"Bulgaria is a partner of the Republic of Moldova in many areas - economic, social, educational and energy. We are glad to develop the strategic partnership, which contributes to the stability and energy security of both countries," Minister Parlicov said.

The joint plan will include measures to maintain the balance in the energy and gas transportation networks and will support the access of Moldovan companies to storage infrastructure and energy markets in Bulgaria. The memorandum also provides for the implementation of solidarity measures in the event of a crisis, with a commitment that they will be carried out without jeopardizing the energy security of the supplying country, the energy ministry said.

The document underlines Moldova's efforts to integrate into the single European energy market and contributes to the objectives of the European Union and the Energy Community on solidarity and stability of supply.