site.btaEnergy Minister: Natural Gas and Oil Supplies Are Secured

Natural gas and crude oil supplies for Bulgaria are secured, and there is no cause for concern, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said Sunday in an interview on bTV, commenting on recent US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.

“Our energy sector is operating on the basis of long-term contracts. We have sufficient quantities,” Stankov noted, adding that in his capacity as minister, he will not allow the conflict to negatively affect the country.

“First and foremost, I want to assure that there is no immediate threat to Bulgaria. We are in constant communication with NATO and EU partners. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov is receiving regular updates from our security services,” Stankov noted. He also said that the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed there is no change in background radiation levels following the strikes.

Stankov acknowledged that prices of crude oil and natural gas have risen by 10–15% during the past week due to the escalating tension in the Middle East,but noted that this increase remains within the fluctuation range seen earlier this year.

He also reassured the public that electricity prices for households will remain unchanged after July 1 and will continue to be calculated under the current methodology.