© Press Secretariat of the Head of State
Bulgaria is not part of the general European order for the delivery of 1 million projectiles to Ukraine, but it wants greater compensation for the damages it suffered because of the war – the expensive gas in Chiren and the import of Ukrainian grain and sunflower. This is how President Rumen Radev’s statements to journalists can be summarized following his participation in the European Council meeting in Brussels.
“Bulgaria is part of the general political framework of the European Council to support Ukraine, but together with 9 other countries, we are not part of the general order for the delivery of 1 million projectiles to Ukraine, said the head of state. He explained that the practical implementation of the general order is within the framework of the initiative of the European Defense Agency, which includes 17 member states, and another 10, including Bulgaria, do not take part in this initiative.
Radev noted that the gas pumped last summer into the storage in Chiren gas is three times more expensive than the current prices, and its use means a significant increase in the price at which the fuel is sold at the moment. Within the framework of the forum, the head of state raised the issue of support for the countries most affected in this area. According to Radev, the topic is yet to be analyzed and decided by the European Commission.
“The provision of corridors for the export of production from Ukraine should not lead to distortion of the Bulgarian market and damage to the interests of our agricultural producers,” Radev also pointed out. This was also the reason why Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland insisted on much more aid than the 56 million euros agreed upon at this stage, of which 16 million euros are intended for Bulgaria. “This is not enough at all, the aid must correspond to the damage suffered by our farmers, and this will be subject to serious consideration by the European Commission,” the president also said.
The head of state also pointed out that Bulgaria receives full support and a high rating for the protection of the external borders of the EU, and the technical parameters of the European aid are currently being specified at a rapid pace. The Bulgarian-Turkish border has been declared a priority by the President of the EC and all member states.
