President Radev: As of today, the inefficient practice of contracting tankers without tender is abolished

"As of today, September 20, the inefficient practice of contracting tankers without a tender without knowing who and how determines the supplier and the price is being abolished," President Rumen Radev said.

In his words, today the public supplier, Bulgargaz, has announced for the first time an open tender for the supply of liquefied natural gas,3 types.

"This is how it is done and this is how it should be done in the future - openly, transparently and equally to all possible suppliers. This is the only way to achieve diversification, competition and the best conditions for this country, to look for solutions not month by month, as before," Rumen Radev added.

According to the President, it is necessary to look for a strategic partnership with a long-term horizon, which will undoubtedly influence the prices of liquefied gas for this year.

"I congratulate the government on the contract signed yesterday with Gaztrade to secure one billion cubic metres of liquefied gas from the Alexandroupolis terminal. Efforts continue to solve the most difficult problem - securing slots at the terminals by the end of this year, as much better chances to secure and book these slots in the spring were squandered," Rumen Radev added.

He expressed hope that the interconnector in Greece would be completed on time.

"Whether the winter supplies are guaranteed depends on whether slots for liquefied gas will be found," Rumen Radev said. He also commented on the upcoming early elections on 2 October and stressed that it was important to achieve a voter turnout that would give legitimacy to the new parliament.

"To elect a stable and sustainable government. Both the caretaker cabinet and the Central Election Commission are doing their utmost to increase confidence in the electoral process - with a detailed and transparent certification and testing methodology, with openness to all parties and organisations, with a full-fledged information campaign, with an uncompromising fight against vote-buying. The conduct of parties in this campaign is important for voter turnout, it should encourage civic participation and not put off people," Radev added.

The President is on a visit to Sevlievo, where he participated in the ceremony of expanding the production base of the plant for modern high-voltage equipment. The ceremony also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the production plant.