site.btaUPDATED Economy Minister Ninova: False Insinuations Are Made that Bulgaria Is Exporting Weapons to Ukraine 

A false insinuation has been persistently made in recent weeks that Bulgaria is exporting weapons, products or dual-purpose technology to Ukraine, said Deputy PM and Economy Minister Korneliya Ninova during question time in Parliament here on Tuesday. 

According to Ninova, claiming that Bulgaria is exporting weapons to one of the sides would mean a direct intervention in the war. "Whoever continues to make such insinuations puts Bulgaria's national security at risk," she said. 

Ninova presented in Parliament the procedures for the export of such products from Bulgaria, recalling that this process is implemented through an interdepartmental commission and is signed by the Economy Minister. She also presented data about Bulgaria's export and transfers to different countries since this Cabinet's term in office began, recalling that an annual report is submitted at the end of the year. Ninova said, however, that she can announce the data early with the permission of the competent institutions. 

The Deputy PM gave a breakdown of Bulgaria's exports and transfers to different countries and the amounts involved, and Ukraine was not among them. The Bulgarian exports of weapons, dual-use products and technologies to foreign countries since Kiril Petkov's Government assumed office amounts to 504.990 million leva, she said. 

Answering a question, Ninova said that it is possible for these export destinations to re-export such dual-use products and technologies to Ukraine or another country, but that no longer falls within the responsibility, competences and rights of the Bulgarian State and Government under all international and Bulgarian laws.