The 11% discount on gas supplies from Russia is tied to fast-tracking the South Stream gas pipeline, according to Delyan Dobrev, Bulgaria's Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
In a Monday interview for the morning broadcast of the Bulgarian National Television (BNT), he specified that Bulgaria was to wrap up the paperwork on project by November 15, with Russia planning to start construction works in December.
Dobrev announced that Bulgaria's next gas supply contract with Russia would be signed directly with Gazprom Export and would not include intermediary companies.
The Energy Minister explained that Bulgaria would seek a mid-term contract for a period of seven years, starting 2013.
He went on to say that the Sofia Tech Park project presented last week by Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev would be launched this week, Novinite.com reports.