Economy Minister - Bulgaria Won USD 16 B from Renegotiating Gazprom Contract / Legal Services in Bulgaria

Economy Minister - Bulgaria Won USD 16 B from Renegotiating Gazprom Contract

by Sofia News Agency www.novinite.com

Bulgaria's Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov stated Friday the country had won USD 15,9 B as a result of renegotiating in 2006 its contract with Gazprom for the purchase and transit of natural gas. Dimitrov's statement came as a response to the claims made Thursday by two opposition MPs, Martin Dimitrov and Ivan Sotirov, that Bulgaria had lost BGN 500 M from the new contract. According to the Minister, Bulgaria's revenue from the gas transit under the 2006 contract amounted to some USD 5 B. In his words, if the gas supplies are increased as negotiated, the revenue could reach USD 7,9 B. Dimitrov pointed out that if the contract had not been renegotiated, Bulgaria's transit revenue would be only EUR 835 M. "From its 2006 contract with Gasprom Bulgaria has won a total of USD 15,9 B. That is why I am asking everyone who makes anti-Bulgarian statements to pay attention to the gas as well", Dimitrov stated. He added the contract with the Russian energy giant could not be made public because it contained an article requiring the written agreement of the other side for such a step. "Pardon me but I am not an irresponsible atom, whom someone met on the street", the Minister said explaining he could not make a commitment to renegotiate the contract with Gazprom in order to make it public.