Bulgaria preparing for talks with Gazprom after anti-Russia stance of former govt

MOSCOW. Aug 23 (Interfax) - The new government of Bulgaria is preparing for difficult talks with Russia on the possible resumption of natural gas supplies.

Bulgarian Energy Minister Rosen Hristov said the previous government made it difficult to hold talks with Russian gas giant Gazprom , expelling Russian diplomats, so the situation does not look good.

It is obvious that Bulgaria will have to approach Gazprom for what will likely be very difficult negotiations, but hopefully representatives of the company will be diplomatic and an agreement on gas supplies can be reached, Hristov was reported as saying at a press conference by the Economic.

The authorities will have to hold very intensive negotiations with political support and the support of all contacts in the private sector, he said.

Hristov also said that Bulgaria is beginning negotiations with Azerbaijan on increasing gas supplies through the interconnector with Greece. However, Azerbaijani officials are currently sceptical about increasing supplies, he said.

Bulgaria is also holding talks with Turkish companies on increasing supplies of pipeline gas.