site.btaBulgaria Has Secured Natural Gas Supplies, Price of Alternative Sources Negotiated - MP Mirchev

Bulgaria will not be dependent on natural gas supplies from Russia and the only obstacle to signing an agreement for alternative supplies are the prices, Democratic Bulgaria (DB) MP Ivaylo Mirchev, who is also Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, told Bulgarian National TV, as quoted by DB's press centre. 

Even if Russia suspends the natural gas supply to Bulgaria, alternative means have been ensured and the supply routes are clear. The only problem right now is the price. What's even more is that Bulgaria will become a country that will facilitate natural gas supplies to Western Europe, he went on to say.

Mirchev voiced hope that with the joint efforts of the European Union, better prices will be achieved by this year's end and the issue will be resolved, adding that the Government is doing a good job in that regard. 

Mirchev said that the Government will announce next week a broad package of economic measures to curb inflation and high prices. 

Commenting the question of Bulgaria sending military aid to Ukraine, Mirchev said that DB has held a principled position on this question from the very beginning and such a decision can be made by the Government alone, without Parliament. "We're optimistic that this question will be brought up during the coalition council on Tuesday," he said.