Russ Oil-Gas

February 4, 2009 - Associated Press - SOFIA, Bulgaria: Bulgaria's foreign minister says his country wants a new gas agreement with Russia's Gazprom so some intermediaries are removed. Ivailo Kalfin says Bulgaria wants to replace the three intermediaries that deliver Russian gas to Bulgaria with just one, to reduce the price Bulgaria pays. Kalfin also says Bulgaria will demand compensation for last month's halt of Russian gas shipments. Bulgaria estimates its direct losses at €15.4 million ($20 million), and additional damages at €40 million ($52 million). The Balkan country was among the worst hit by the gas dispute because it relies almost completely on Russian gas. Kalfin spoke in a TV interview Wednesday before heading to Moscow as part of a delegation led by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.