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Bulgaria to ask Gazprom to extend gas offtake under expiring contract into 2023 – reports
MOSCOW. Aug 26 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Bulgaria intends to ask Gazprom to extend gas offtake under the contract that is currently lapsing into 2023, the Nova TV channel said on its website, quoting Bulgarian Energy Minister Rosen Hristov.
Hristov said earlier that Bulgaria had a contract for the delivery of 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Offtake is 1 bcm so far this year.
"There is no way we can use up the quantities of gas under this contract," therefore the proposal is that they be accepted in 2023, Hristov said. There will be no talks about renewing the contract – refusal to renew contracts that are lapsing has become part of EU energy policy with respect to Russia. "We are only talking about the old contract, we will not re-sign or negotiate a new contract," Hristov said.
Bulgarian officials have informed Gazprom they are ready to resume negotiations, and are expecting a response in the coming days. The Bulgarian authorities have also held consultations on this issue with the European Commission.
Hristov also said that Bulgaria intended to demand a bank guarantee for gas supplies for a month, arguing that there is a risk the money will be sent, but the gas will not be received.
