Rosen Hristov, energy minister of Bulgaria, stated that Gazprom has recently responded to talk about the gas. They are ready to discuss the requirements. Hristov noted that the third of the required gas would come from Gazprom if everything went well.
The acting minister acknowledges that “communication is slow” and that they needed to take time to talk about the negotiation proposal Bulgaria sent through “Gazprom”. The acting minister said, “I hope they will come back with some feedback shortly.” The interim administration made every effort to get the originally agreed-upon gas supplies while not wanting to participate in the arbitration. He asserts that Kiril Petkov’s regular cabinet did not begin seeking out long-term deals with other vendors.
Hristov added, “90% of the required 3 billion cubic metres are covered under the deal with Gazprom. This contract’s end-of-year deadline was well known. Tankers and Azeri gas meet 50% of the needs. Where is the other half of it? We weld tankers with some offer, but no one is aware of how this offer was created; it seems to have been produced without competition. There are no agreed quantities of gas for November and December”.
Hristov said, “Electricity will be present. Gas for the winter will also be available. To secure supply, we are working hard and putting together tenders, some of which we will release this week. We are conversing with Gazprom as well. The goal is to diversify the sources of supplies”.
Bulgaria tried to resume talks with Gazprom since they cut supplies, but they didn’t respond; even Bulgaria agreed to negotiate with every term and condition. The reduction of gas supplies to Bulgaria and other European countries leads to enormous inflation in Europe. Since they cut the deliveries, it is now anticipated that Gazprom will provide the quantities needed for the winter and the amounts not transported under the contract.