Replying to a fresh dose of criticism against the Government by President Rumen Radev over a new fee on Russian gas transit and the future of the Lukoil Neftochim refinery in Burgas, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said that the President is "supposed to symbolize the unity of the nation but obviously he has decided that his priorities are elsewhere".
"I have always said that the state institutions should work together. On the other hand, we don't see any positive approach in this regard [from the President]," said Denkov.
He was adamant that the government's decisions cater solely to the interests of Bulgarian people, the Bulgarian economy and the national security of Bulgaria. Replying to the President's criticism against a decision by the ruling majority to introduce a new fee of BGN 20/MWh for Russian gas transits, he said that there are strong arguments in favour of that. "With regard to this fee, I presented the arguments yesterday, but I will repeat them again if I have to. It is clear that this discussion will continue. The documents have been sent to the European Commission. There will be a conversation with the representatives of the other European countries, so the topic will have a development," Denkov explained.
Asked to comment the President's warning that the fee will bring about the failure of state-owned operator Bulgartransgaz, Denkov said that such a scenario is unrealistic. "Let's get into the technology when we hold the first talks with representatives of the European Commission, Hungary and Serbia. There is a European Council coming up where I will have the opportunity to talk to them. Our argument is that this obligation is for Gazprom, not for Serbia, Hungary or Bulgartransgaz," the Prime Minister said.
He went on to say that the fee will generate extra revenue for the public purse. "Also, it is a very good opportunity to create real competition, so that piped gas can compete with liquefied gas, which would bring benefit across Europe," he said.
Bulgaria introduced the BGN 20/MWh fee for Russian gas transit as of October 13, 2023.
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