Bulgargaz has stopped gas payments to BOTAŞ: Deep rift in 13-year agreement.

Turkey, which aims to develop natural gas trade with its neighbors, has implemented the 'TurkStream Natural Gas Pipeline' project to transfer Russian gas to Hungary, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia. The Serbian segment of TurkStream became operational in 2021, while the first hitch arose in the agreement made with Bulgaria.

THE ISSUE MAY BE TAKEN TO COURT

It has been learned that Bulgaria's gas supplier Bulgargaz has stopped the daily payments to BOTAŞ since July. Bulgarian MP Kaloyan Metodiev stated that the contract made with BOTAŞ is contrary to national interests and that arbitration will be sought. Acting Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov also claimed that BOTAŞ would receive a daily fee of 500 thousand dollars according to the contract, despite not delivering gas until 2036. Following these claims, Bulgargaz appointed a legal advisor for analysis.

NO PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE JULY

During the meeting held in Istanbul on October 15, it was revealed that Bulgargaz has not made any payments since July.

AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED IN 2023

An agreement foreseeing natural gas cooperation between Turkey and Bulgaria was signed in January last year. According to the 13-year agreement, it was decided that 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas would be transferred from Turkey to Bulgaria annually.