Bulgaria was one of the countries most affected in the January crisis, when a payment dispute led to Russia cutting off supplies into Ukraine including those destined for Europe. FIle photo
The European Commission has warned all the EU member states to be prepared for another gas crisis next winter.
EU countries should fill their gas storage facilities, and seek further regional arrangements to ward off possible supply disruptions, the EC said Thursday.
Bulgaria was one of the countries most affected in the January crisis, when a payment dispute led to Russia cutting off supplies into Ukraine including those destined for Europe.
"The Commission in particular recommended the member states to be better prepared for the coming winter period and to fill their gas storages from all possible available sources. EU countries are overwhelmingly dependent on one single gas supplier and one single supply route. ", a statement said.
The experts "stressed the potential of regional cooperation to mitigate the risks identified", the statement said, citing an "uncertain gas storage situation in Ukraine".
Ukraine aims at a loan to pay for the Russian gas it has received, which Moscow is no longer willing to supply. If it doesn't receive it, the country may not be able to secure its gas supplies before winter, which may hamper Russian gas flows to Europe.