Thermal power plant in Sofia, Bulgaria. Archival photoMOSCOW, 27 Aug. Bulgaria will not discuss the conclusion of a new gas contract with Gazprom, the website of the government of the republic reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Khristo Alexiev. «The Deputy Prime Minister clearly stated that the Bulgarian government does not intend to negotiate a new short, medium or long-term contract with Gazprom Export, but only speaks of receiving volumes under the current contract,» the press service said following a meeting between Aleksiev and the head of the Energy Directorate of the European Commission, Ditte Jull-Jorgensen. At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the interim government these issues will not be dealt with in any case. «Only an ordinary cabinet and parliament can make such a new, future commitment,» Aleksiev added.Ex-president of the Czech Republic stood up for RussiaDuring the negotiations, the Bulgarian side assured the European Commission that it would participate in international tenders for the purchase of liquefied gas. The current government will start the procedure, but the final decision will be made by the elected Cabinet. Sofia also expressed interest in participating in the mechanism for the joint acquisition of energy resources by European countries. Since April 27, Gazprom has suspended gas supplies to the Bulgarian company Bulgargaz due to non-payment in rubles. Moscow switched to settlements for gas in the national currency with unfriendly countries from April 1. Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow would consider refusal to pay in rubles as a default on contracts. At the end of June, the Bulgarian cabinet of ministers, headed by Kiril Petkov, resigned due to for the government crisis. Early elections scheduled for October 2.
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