Russia will provide Bulgaria with a discount on purchases of natural gas in exchange for co-operation in prioritizing the construction of the Bulgarian section of the South Stream pipeline.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced that Russia had agreed on a short-term reduction of 11% on Bulgarian gas purchases, following discussions held in Moscow between Economy and Energy Minister Delyan Dobrev and senior Russian officials.

"We will provide faster and shorter terms for the construction of South Stream because the faster we launch and install a meter, the better," Borisov said.

The price reduction gained by the Bulgarian side is only for the period April 1st through to the end of the year