site.btaConsultative Council for National Security Could Be Reconvened about Middle East Conflict, President Radev Says

If necessary, the Consultative Council for National Security (CCNS) could be reconvened because of the war in the Middle East, President Rumen Radev told journalists in Tryavna.

“Of course there are risks, they are assessed every single day, in real time. Our services are working very intensively on the spot,” the Head of State added. He reminded that the Security Council had already been convened on the same occasion - an exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, in October 2024.

“If necessary, the council could be convened again, but I expect the proposals and opinions we adopted by consensus the last time around to be fully implemented because there are two points that have not yet been implemented,” Radev added.

The President also said that until a few days ago he had not received any written requests for a Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior.

“I have finally received a request for coordination on the appointment of a secretary general and I will soon take a position on this issue,” Radev explained.

On June 13, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced from Austria that there had been verbal coordination on the appointment of a secretary general of the Ministry of Interior and these are topics that remain open. It is not correct to mention names on any occasion, Zhelyazkov said at the time.

Earlier in the day, the Head of State's press secretariat said that the presidential institution had not received a written proposal to coordinate the appointment of a general secretary of the Interior Ministry.

The President also commented on the information about the increase in the prices of goods and the insistence of the National Revenue Agency to return the values to the levels of June 3:

“Two weeks were enough to convince people that the state is helpless in the face of the unjustified price hikes,” Rumen Radev said.

“Instead of developing theories every day in the studios and raising slogans, the government should think immediately about what will happen to people from vulnerable social groups in the event of such a rise in inflation,” Radev added.

“I expect to see serious measures in this regard, because you see that the war in the Middle East is also raising oil prices, and that cannot help but have an impact on every family's budget. Bulgarians should not be miserable,” the President added.

He reiterated his thesis that the referendum (on joining the eurozone - ed.) is the only way to restore confidence in the institutions and strengthen the statehood.

Radev also responded to criticism from GERB leader Boyko Borissov about the head of state's travels.

“About what is being done abroad - if anyone owes an account, it is former Prime Minister Borissov for his international contracts,” Radev said.

He added that after his visits to Japan and the Middle East and the agreements signed, he expects the government to translate these bilateral agreements into real investment, cultural and educational exchanges.