Chairman of the Russian energy giant Gazprom Alexey Miller and Bulgarian ambassador to Russia Plamen Grozdanov discussed new conditions and payment for the transit passage of Russian natural gas through Bulgaria.

The two also talked about Gazprom’s possible involvement in the development of Bulgaria’s energy sector, Focus news agency reported.

Export of Russian natural gas to Bulgaria started in 1974. At the moment Gazprom is Bulgaria’s only gas supplier.

In the end of 2005 Gazprom demanded change in the transit gas agreement signed with Bulgaria. The changes had to be enforced in 2006. The Economy and Energy Ministry started negotiations on the new terms of the agreement.

On December 6 Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov presented a memorandum, discussing changes to the natural gas supply and transit passage agreement.

The memorandum was presented after nearly one year of negotiations. If approved, it will be valid until 2030.

Bulgaria had to decide whether to negotiate Russia’s current demands or to ensure economic stability through a long-term agreement, said Ovcharov.