'It is blatantly untrue that the contract with the Turkish state-owned company Botas is not being put into use." President Rumen Radev stated this to journalists at the Krumovo Air Base.

The terminal in Alexandroupolis has not been operational since last year, and this year significant quantities of gas are being imported under the contract with Botas, the president said, calling on investigators to check whether there have been any missed benefits.

• Terminating the Botas contract would cost over €2 billion, says Energy Minister says Stankov

He also revealed that Russian gas is being imported into Bulgaria via intermediaries. Radev has spoken with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, who is 'ready to provide even better conditions in this situation'.

• Prosecutor's Office and Anti-Corruption Commission investigate contract with Botas

'I definitely believe that the attack against the caretaker government over the contract with Botas is politically motivated and is also directed against me. The agreement is not being used to best effect to import gas into Bulgaria or sell this capacity abroad, nor is it being renegotiated in the current situation," Radev added.