Interview: Gas conflict 'highlights importance of Nabucco'[fr][de] 

Kirilov called for an independent investigation to be carried out to ascertain "which of the two countries is more irresponsible". "Whichever it is has must be sanctioned in a very severe way, so this can never be repeated again," he added. 

The Bulgarian MEP expressed concern and anger over the fact that the Russian delegation did not turn up to a meeting of the European Parliament foreign relations committee yesterday (8 January), hinting that weather conditions did not sufficiently explain their absence. 

He described the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which has left some twenty European countries without gas supplies, as "uncivilised and irresponsible". 

Kirilov said he is closely following the "very grave" situation in his country, which has been hit worst hit by the dispute. 

"Bulgarian citizens do not deserve such treatment and I think this gives ground to a much more active role for the European Commission. The Commission should move faster and the observers should already be there. We have no time to waste," the MEP said. 

Kirilov admitted that his country relies too heavily on Russian gas. There are no alternative sources and a single pipeline brings Russian gas to Bulgaria. As for a proposal by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov to restart one of the reactors at Kozloduy nuclear power plant (EurActiv 07/01/09), he expressed hope that the crisis would end soon. Nevertheless, it may become necessary to restart Kozloduy at a later stage should the situation worsen, he conceded. 

"I think the president, in a stately manner, was right to raise the issue, because we will be helpless in a matter of weeks. And I think the accession treaty provides for this in such a critical situation. In dialogue with the European Commission, we should receive its consent to restart at least one of the reactors," Kirilov said. 

To read the interview in full, please click here.