Bulgaria will import up to one billion cubic meters of gas a year from Egypt if pipeline links between the two countries are completed, it has been announced.

Speaking to reporters last week, Bulgaria's economy and energy minister Petar Dimitrov said that imports could begin by 2011.

According to Reuters, the minister will work with Sameh Fahmy, Egypt's oil minister to produce a memorandum of understanding which could also extend to liquefied natural gas supply cooperation and integration of Bulgarian firms into the Egyptian energy industry.

Meanwhile, Fahmy told Reuters that it was too early to say much the Nabucco pipeline could reduce reliance on Russian natural gas supplies in Eastern Europe.

"We are following it closely and as soon as Nabucco is realised and the pipeline is under construction we will start talking with the partners," he told the news agency.

Egypt also last week signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union which will increase energy cooperation between the country and other member states.

© Adfero Ltd

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