MOSCOW, April 27. /TASS/. Russian energy giant Gazprom has informed Bulgarian company Bulgargaz that it would halt natural gas supplies to Bulgaria starting from April 27, the Bulgarian energy ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Today, April 26, Bulgargaz EAD received a notification that the deliveries of natural gas from Gazprom Export will be suspended as of April 27, 2022," the ministry said.
"After an analysis by the state company Bulgargaz and the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), it was found that the new two-stage payment procedure proposed by Russia is not in line with the existing contract until the end of this year and poses significant risk to Bulgaria, including making payments without receiving any gas from the Russian side," the statement says.
The document says that the Bulgarian energy ministry, Bulgarian Energy Holding, Bulgargaz and Bultransgaz have taken measures to reach alternative gas supply agreements. At present, no restrictions on gas consumption are required in Bulgaria, the ministry said.
Government Spokesperson Lena Borislavova told the BTV television that the move posed no threat for the energy security of Bulgaria.
"The country’s energy security is not at risk. We have long been ready for this scenario, the prime minister has been notified about what is going on," she said.
Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov is expected to comment on the situation on Wednesday.