November 11 (BTA) - A Bulgarian-Israeli working group will consider matters of mutual interest in the field of energy, the Government Information Service in Sofia said on Wednesday. These matters include: protecting energy infrastructure against physical, electromagnetic and cyber threats; exploring options to supply natural gas from Israel to Bulgaria and other countries; and prospecting for and extracting natural gas and other hydrocarbon energy resources.

This is envisaged in the draft of a memorandum of cooperation in energy between the two countries' competent ministries, approved by Bulgaria's Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The proposed memorandum says that the sides will encourage businesses in Bulgaria and Israel to expand investment and trade in energy.

The deepening of energy cooperation between the two countries is in line with Bulgaria's priority to diversify its gas sources and supply routes. Sofia views the Eastern Mediterranean, and Israel in particular, as a potential source of natural gas in implementation of that priority, the press release said. NV/VE
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