site.btaLukoil Refinery Is Part of Bulgaria’s Critical Infrastructure, State Must Safeguard Its Operation, Says PM Zhelyazkov

The Lukoil Bulgaria oil refinery in Burgas is part of the country’s critical infrastructure and the State has obligations to safeguard its uninterrupted operation, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at the opening of a Security Council meeting on Friday, as quoted by the cabinet’s press service. He stressed that the aim is for the refinery to continue functioning smoothly after November 21.

The meeting focused on appointing a special commercial administrator for Lukoil Neftochim Burgas. The government said reports from the relevant ministers would be heard, followed by a proposal to the Council of Ministers to appoint a special administrator.

The procedure follows the promulgation of amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products in the State Gazette. The National Assembly adopted the amendments on November 7 at two readings in one sitting. President Rumen Radev later imposed a veto on the provisions concerning the appointment of a special commercial administrator, but MPs overturned the veto later that day.

During Friday’s parliamentary Question Time, Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev said talks with the United States in the days leading up to November 21 were critical, as US sanctions on the two Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft, along with their overseas assets, are due to take effect.