Energy ministers from Bulgaria and Turkiye have held talks aimed at expanding natural gas trade and improving regional energy links.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar met with Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova in Istanbul during the INRES 2026 natural resources forum, where both sides discussed closer cooperation in the energy sector.

According to Bayraktar, the meeting focused on increasing natural gas trade, strengthening electricity and gas interconnectors, enhancing supply chain security, and exploring cooperation opportunities in the Black Sea region.

He said stronger collaboration between the two neighbouring countries would help improve regional energy security and ensure more stable energy supplies.

The discussions come months after Turkish state energy company Turkish Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement with Shell plc in February 2026 to jointly explore oil and natural gas resources in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone.

Under the agreement, Turkiye secured a five-year exploration licence for the Khan Tervel block, a 3,800-square-kilometre offshore area located close to the Sakarya gas field in the Turkish section of the Black Sea.

Petrova also said Bulgaria was still seeking revisions to its gas agreement with Turkish gas company BOTAŞ, adding that further discussions with Turkish officials were expected soon.