Yesterday, Alexander Nikolov announced that the gas storage in Chiren is about 35% full. He added that efforts were being made to secure all the necessary quantities of natural gas after Russia suspended supplies to Bulgaria. Nikolov reminded that Bulgaria "has an active contract with Gazprom Export and communication, as far as it involves normal legal and commercial relations, has not stopped," Bulgarian National Radio reporter Yuliana Kornazheva quoted him as saying.

The outgoing Energy Minister also said that talks were underway for additional quantities of Azeri gas beyond those specified in the existing contract, adding that the additional quantities were being negotiated at a market price, which was higher.