The European Commission is discussing with Bulgarian authorities the introduction of a fee on Russian gas transits. EU sanctions policy towards Russia is designed, reviewed and adopted at EU level as has been the case since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, EC Spokesperson Olof Gill said.
Bulgaria introduced a fee of 10.5 euros/MWh for Russian gas transited through Bulgaria via BalkanStream pipeline on 13 October. The Government said that it would generate additional revenues for the country, would ensure a level playing field between Russian pipeline gas and alternative non-Russian gas supplies, and reduce Russian revenues used in its war of aggression in Ukraine.
Hungary and Serbia are opposing the new Bulgarian fee, claiming that it would increase the price they pay for Russian gas.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has joined the critics of the fee, saying that with it the Government is acting against the interests of the EU and its neighbors, threatens to undermine Bulgaria’s role as a gas transiting country and will bring financial instability to Bulgarian gas transmission system operator Bulgartransgaz.
