Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev warned yesterday (6 November) of a possible repeat of the 2009 gas crisis as a result of the intensified conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Stoynev said that the pretext for a new gas crisis was Kiev's outstanding debt of some 0 million (€666 million) to Russian gas exporters Gazprom. The Bulgarian minister added that the real reason there could be a gas crisis was Ukraine's plan to sign an association agreement with the EU at the 28-29 November Vilnius summit.

"I am concerned about the development of the talks between the two countries. I strongly hope the nightmare in the winter of 2009 will not be repeated. Such a risk exists at this stage," the minister said after the regular meeting of the Council of ministers, as quoted by the news website Kapital.  MORE