site.btaDeputy PM Vassilev: If Exemption Is Given to Some EU Members, Bulgaria Wants to Postpone Embargo on Russian Oil Too

If some EU member states are granted exemption from the embargo on Russian oil, we want to be included, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev on Bulgarian National Television. He pointed out that without a derogation, Bulgaria will not support the new package of sanctions against Russia. "Our country's position on the oil embargo is clear," Vassilev said.

The Deputy Prime Minister announced that this country is currently receiving gas along the southern gas corridor, adding that Bulgargaz has contracts for tanker deliveries by the end of July. Then there is the pan-European purchase: the European Union and the United States have agreed on 50 billion cubic metres, said Assen Vassilev. According to him, negotiations are underway with Azerbaijan to ensure that the full deliveries of natural gas start in May. "We have a very good understanding on the part of Azerbaijan, and I am optimistic," he said. He added that the government is working to gain access to liquefied gas terminals in Turkey for about 17 billion cubic metres of fuel. Vassilev stressed that Bulgaria can no longer rely on Gazprom because they have proven to be a completely disloyal partner.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine will emerge victorious from the war, which he said could last four to five years. This will affect the prices of energy sources, which will rise more than anywhere else in the world, Vassilev said. He added that food prices will also rise because both Russia and Ukraine are huge producers of grain, cereals and exporters to the world market. Logistics, especially in the Black Sea, will become much more expensive as military action takes place in the neighbourhood, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Regarding the future of the coalition, he said that if ever the coalition stops working for the Bulgarian interest and starts working for someone’s money, he will ask the parliamentary group of Continue the Change to vote against the coalition. He added that one should always be ready for early elections.