(5 Feb 2009)
1. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev walking in and greeting visiting Bulgarian president, Georgi Parvanov
2. Cutaway photographers
3. Pan from seated Medvedev to Parvanov
4. Wide of talks
5. Cutaway media
6. Mid of talks table
7. Mid of Russian delegation, Medvedev in foreground
8. Mid of Bulgarian delegation Parvanov in foreground
9. Wide of talks
10. Cutaway flags
11. Wide of signing ceremony
12. Pan from Russian deputy finance minister Sergei Shatalov to Bulgarian foreign minister Ivailo Kalfin, both men signing a Soviet debt settlement deal
13. Shatalov and Kalfin exchanging documents and shaking hands
14. SOUNDBITE: (Bulgarian) Georgi Parvanov, President of Bulgaria:
"I'm glad I met understanding at the highest level here in Moscow of the undisputable fact that Bulgaria suffered most as a result of the gas crisis and it is necessary to look for new solutions - on the one hand, to overcome the damage caused by the crisis, and on the other hand, to find solutions which would be long-term and strategic and help prevent a new crisis."
15. Cutaway media
16. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia:
"You know the Russian Federation's position. We maintain that the final, legal responsibility for the (gas) problem rests with the Ukrainian side. It should be held accountable for possible losses. We will deal with our Ukrainian partners."
17. Russian and Bulgarian presidents standing up and shaking hands
STORYLINE:
A Bulgarian delegation led by President Georgi Parvanov was in Moscow on Thursday, seeking compensation over disrupted gas supplies.
Bulgaria's president Georgi Parvanov said his country suffered most from the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute and wanted compensation for the damage.
He said he also wanted a solution that would prevent a further crisis happening in the future.
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev blamed Ukraine for the gas crisis, saying Moscow "will deal" with its Ukrainian partners.
Both sides also signed a deal settling the former Soviet debt to Bulgaria and agreed to work towards removing unnecessary intermediaries in their trade in energy resources.
The Balkan country was among the worst hit by the gas dispute because it relies almost completely on Russian gas.
At least 15 European nations saw their supplies cut or reduced after Russia turned off the gas tap amid a dispute with Ukraine over 2009 gas price and allegations that Ukraine was stealing gas destined for Europe.
Bulgaria which almost exclusively relies on these shipments for its heating was hit hard, forcing locals to stockpile wood and coal.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
