site.btaPresident Says Claims that BOTAS Deal Is Unused Are Brazen Lies

"The claim that the deal with BOTAS is not being used is an outright lie," President Rumen Radev told journalists at the Krumovo Air Base on Friday. According to him, the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal on the Greek Aegean coast has been out of operation since last year, and this year significant quantities of gas are being imported under the BOTAS agreement. He called on investigators to examine whether there have also been missed economic opportunities.

"Why does it remain unused? Why aren't we selling gas to other countries through it? And why are we still importing Russian gas, a favourite pastime of several governments which have loudly claimed to be fighting Putin every day, yet continue to import Russian gas without consequences?" the President commented.

He emphasized that careless talk of corruption in connection with BOTAS and groundless accusations against the Turkish state-owned energy company negatively affect international relations. Radev noted that he had spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and that Turkiye, which is also concerned, is prepared to offer even better terms, but this requires political will and competence on the Bulgarian side.

When asked whether he believes the attacks are personally directed at him, the President confirmed that they are, adding that there are specific political motives behind them.

Regarding Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone, Radev criticized the government for hastily celebrating and "begging for praise", knowing full well the budget shortfall and its failure to control prices. "I watched the press conference about the eurozone and wondered why the authorities didn’t come down to the streets to celebrate with the people, instead of scolding them from the screen," he remarked.

In his view, Bulgarian institutions are not prepared for the introduction of the euro from January 1, 2026. If there is any sabotage of the euro, he said, it is the lack of adequate measures to counter unjustified price increases, protect citizens’ purchasing power, and a lack of vision for building an economy compatible with the eurozone.

He further argued that the decision to join the eurozone, made without public consultation, is a strategic mistake with long-term consequences. "Borissov and Peevski are using the eurozone as an argument to cement their hold on power, while we see how CC–DB supports that same power, even as it pressures and targets its own mayors," Radev stated.

The President visited the 24th Krumovo Air Base, where he reviewed a report on readiness for aerial firefighting operations and met with the base’s personnel and leadership. He noted that 10 new Bambi Bucket systems have been delivered to the air base. Two Mi-17 helicopters and between two and four Cougar helicopters will be available for use in aerial firefighting.