Bulgaria's interim energy minister Rossen Hristov said the Balkan country "could not avoid" discussions with oil and gas giant Gazprom about resuming Russian gas supplies after it was halted in April, as Sofia refused to pay for rubles at Moscow's request.
Mr. Rossen Hristov did not say when negotiations with Russia would begin, but said that negotiations were necessary to ensure cheaper gas for the country.
Reuters quoted Mr. Hristov as saying to reporters: "In fact, given the needs of businesses and trade unions, negotiations with Gazprom to resume supply are inevitable."
Bulgaria relied on more than 90% of its gas demand for Russia until April, when Gazprom cut off supplies to the EU country due to Bulgaria's refusal to pay in rubles.
Bulgaria's long-term contract with Gazprom expires at the end of 2022.
Hristov accused the reformist government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov - which collapsed in June just six months after taking office - of damaging relations with Russia after the war in Ukraine.
Hristov does not expect negotiations with Russia to be easy and quick. "The situation with Gazprom is not at all positive... We clearly have to look for them. The negotiations will be very difficult and arduous.
Hundreds of Bulgars have held protests against the interim government since it took office on August 2, fearing that the government would resume Russian gas supplies and once again increase the Kremlin's influence on the Bulgarian economy.
On August 21, the Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria said that gas deliveries to Bulgaria could be resumed if there was political will from Sofia, and reiterated that payments must be in rubles.
Bulgaria currently needs about 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year, of which 1 billion cubic meters are purchased from Azerbaijan and the rest are purchased from open markets.
wholesale gas prices rose about 60% to $153.44 per megawatt hour in August.
Business organizations and trade unions said high gas prices are affecting the industry and called on the government to find ways to continue importing Russian gas, which will be cheaper than buying on the open market.
Bulgaria is starting negotiations with Azerbaijan this week to increase gas supplies and will also discuss the purchase by Turkish gas traders, Minister Hristov said.
The Bulgarian interim government has decided to sign a deal with US gas company Cheniere to purchase a shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in October. The government said it could not guarantee seats at LNG stations at affordable prices for six other shipments guaranteed by the previous cabinet.
