Greece joins launch of key vertical corridor gas link in Bulgaria
Major Branch of Vertical Natural Gas Corridor Inaugurated in Bulgaria — Greek Minister Papastavrou Attends.
A key segment of the Vertical Corridor natural gas network was officially inaugurated on Thursday in the Bulgarian town of Kresna. The ceremony was attended by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
This newly completed branch of the Bulgarian transmission system is a vital component of the Vertical Corridor — a strategic infrastructure project aimed at enhancing natural gas connectivity from the South to the North of Europe. The Corridor is designed to facilitate the flow of natural gas from Greece to Bulgaria and onward to Romania, and eventually further into Central and Eastern Europe.
Minister Papastavrou, attending at the invitation of Minister Stankov, emphasized Greece’s pivotal role in this transnational energy initiative. “The vertical South-North Corridor is becoming a reality. Greek natural gas will reach Central and Eastern Europe,” he stated. “This is not only an important step for energy security, but also reinforces Greece’s strategic position in Europe.”
The Vertical Corridor is supported by a partnership among seven countries — Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine — and managed by nine national gas operators, including Greece’s DESFA and Gastrade, Bulgaria’s Bulgartransgaz and ICGB, and other regional partners.
Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026, the project will significantly increase gas transport capacity across the Balkans and beyond. It aims to diversify supply routes and sources, reduce dependency on a single supplier, and enhance energy security for Southeastern and Central Europe.
The project is seen as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and energy independence at a time when European nations are intensifying efforts to secure alternative energy supplies.
