site.btaParliament Temporarily Bans Exports of Petroleum Products to EU Member States

Parliament has temporarily banned the export and intra-Community supply of petroleum products, mainly diesel and aviation fuel, to European Union (EU) member states.

The decision was made here on Friday with 135 votes in favour, 4 against, and 42 abstentions.

According to the resolution of the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, the measure is motivated by the need to ensure the country's energy security and the stability of the domestic fuel market in view of the sanctions imposed by the US against the Russian company Lukoil. 

The bill was introduced by Delian Dobrev (GERB-UDF), Stanislav Anastassov (MRF-New Beginning), Pavela Mitova (There Is Such a People), and Atanas Atanasov (BSP-United Left), and was considered earlier in the day during an extraordinary meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee.

In the plenary hall, the decision was supported by GERB-UDF, Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, MRF-New Beginning, BSP-United Left, There Is Such A People, the Alliance of Rights and Freedoms and two independent MPs. Velichie voted against it, while Vazrazhdane and MECh abstained. 

The ban will not apply to the refuelling of domestic or foreign vessels and aircraft, nor to intra-Community supplies to the armed forces of EU and NATO member states.

Parliament has tasked the Director of the Customs Agency with enforcing the ban on the export of petroleum products, and the Executive Director of the National Revenue Agency with enforcing the ban on intra-Community supplies.

The Director of the Customs Agency may, however, authorize specific exports or intra-Community supplies of petroleum products listed in the ban in certain cases, provided that they notify the National Assembly of each authorization. Authorization shall take effect within seven days of notification and the National Assembly may, at any time, amend or revoke authorization issued to protect state and public security.

Additionally, Parliament instructed the head of the State Agency for State Reserves and Wartime Stocks to inspect the quantities stored under the Crude Oil and Petroleum Products Stocks Act within one week. This was suggested by Stanislav Anastasov (MRF-New Beginning).

The decision to introduce a temporary measure restricting exports and intra-Community supplies of petroleum products to other EU Member States will come into effect on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.