Sofia postponing plans to raise tariffs for pumping Russian gas for sake of quick accession to Schengen zone

SOFIA. Dec 12 (Interfax) - The Bulgarian authorities are postponing plans to increase tariffs for pumping Russian gas through the country, Bulgarian National Radio reported on Monday, citing representatives of the ruling coalition.

"We are now putting these plans on hold. We are working together with the European Commission and when they present us with a coherent vision, we will revisit this topic. We will follow a pan-European approach. This duty should not be unilateral, accepted only by Bulgaria. It is necessary to work with the European Commission so that, together with all European countries, this type of duty can be introduced in such a way that it can really influence the Russian economy," the radio quoted Kirill Petkov, a representative of the coalition of the parties Continue Change and Democratic Bulgari, saying in a statement.

Boyko Borisov, head of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, which is also part of the ruling coalition, linked the abolition of the increase in gas transportation fees with Bulgaria's admission to the Schengen zone. "We are very close to joining the Schengen zone, and, therefore, we have decided this way. In relation to everything that somehow slows down this process at the last minute, for example, like this duty, to approach it this way, to apply the correct so-called 'European approach'. In any case, this will reassure other countries and preserve good neighborliness, which has always been our main prerogative," he said.

The Bulgarian government in mid-October announced a new fee for the transit of Russian gas through its territory. According to the law published in the official publication of the state, the import and transit of Russian gas was to be subject to a fee of 20 leva per 1 MWh - about $111 per thousand cubic meters.