PM Petkov: Bulgaria will request a derogation from the EU for a reduction in excise duties on electricity and natural gas.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov opened the cabinet meeting on May 12 with the information that during his visit to the US, the Bulgarian delegation had negotiated the delivery of two ships with liquefied natural gas at prices better than the European markets and Gazprom.

The most important thing is that the Bulgarians have the best prices, the most secure supplies without relying on a supplier that unilaterally removes conditions and contracts. So this is a big victory, Petkov said.

The Energy Ministry will continue with further negotiations on long-term supplies. This allows Bulgaria to have real diversification for the first time, Petkov said.

The Prime Minister also said that during the visit and talks in the United States, great progress was made in finding substitues for F-16 fighter jets as an alternative to the delay in the delivery.

We have support for Bulgarian skies to remain protected, Kiril Petkov stressed.

He also announced that the Council of Ministers today requested a derogation from the EU for a reduction in excise duties on electricity and natural gas.

Concluding before the closed part of the meeting, the Prime Minister said:

Our partners see corruption as a major tool for Putin's influence in our region and in Europe, he said. That is why PM Petkov will issue an order for a thorough inspection of all aspects of Balkan Stream project in Bulgaria.

"This type of projects are exactly what people mean when they say that corruption is used as a foreign policy instrument," said Petkov.