Sofia, Bulgaria: Prime Minister of Bulgaria – Kiril Petkov held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic – Kyriakos Mitsotakis, today (on Wednesday, April 27, 2022).
Both the leaders held a discussion on the ongoing matter of gas suspension by Russian Federation to Bulgaria.
Prime Minister Petkov tweeted, “Discussed with Kyriakos Mitsotakis
the Gazprom situation. Bulgaria and Greece would continue to work together for energy security and diversification – of strategic importance for both countries and the region. We both are confident about the successful completion of the IGB on time”.
Gazprom announced to suspend the gas supply to Bulgaria from today night onwards, as per the information provided by the Bulgarian Energy Ministry. Providing further information on the matter, the Ministry asserted, “The Bulgarian side has fully fulfilled its obligations and has completed all the payments needed under this agreement, in a timely manner, strictly and in accordance with its clauses”.
“After an analysis by the state company Bulgargaz and the Bulgarian Energy Holding, it was found that the new two-stage payment procedure proposed by Russia is not in line with the existing contract until the end of this year and poses significant risks for Bulgaria, including to make payments without receiving any gas supplies from the Russian side”.
Speaking on the decision taken by Russian Federation, the EU Commission President – Ursula von der Leyen, cites, “Once again Russia shows its unreliability as a gas supplier. The unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is unjustified and unacceptable. We are prepared for this scenario”.
Meanwhile, the European Union was considering imposing a gas embargo on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but no decision yet has been concluded on the thought.