Bulgarian government withdraws from vital gas deal

The Bulgarian government has withdrawn from a joint Bulgarian-Russian gas company after failing to resolve differences on share quotas at a meeting in Moscow.

The Bulgarian government wants to deal directly with the Russian company, Gasprom.

The Bulgarian firm, Topernergy, which correspondents say is linked with organised crime in Bulgaria, wants to remain as mediator.

A BBC correspondent says the dispute will complicate arrangements for the delivery of vital gas supplies to Bulgaria when the present agreement expires later this month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service