Remarks and Official Statements 2009
Statement by the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria Nancy McEldowney
Disruption of Natural Gas Supply to Bulgaria
January 7, 2009
The cutoff of natural gas to Bulgaria is completely unacceptable and we join the calls of the Bulgarian government and the European Union for the immediate resumption of gas supply. While the sources of the dispute between Ukraine and Russia are complicated, it is clear that the Bulgarian people should not be victimized as a result of this dispute.
This episode underscores the critical need to diversify sources of natural gas, as well as other energy supplies. Energy is a critical resource for all of society and it is imperative that supply arrangements are made in a direct and transparent manner that ensures security and avoids vulnerability to the manipulations of monopoly suppliers.