Unusual Barter Agreement Struck Between Russia & Bulgaria
Under a 1998 barter arrangement, Bulgaria receives
gas from Russia’s state-owned Gazprom in return for allowing transit
through its territory to a number of other countries including
Turkey, Greece, and Macedonia.
The barter agreement
has been extended 10 years. Bulgaria will be provided gas at a fixed
price, which after the latest hikes in fuel is among the lowest in
Europe.