site.btaPresident Discusses Water Shortage Issues with Pleven's Mayor, Regional Governor

President Rumen Radev discussed Pleven's water shortage issues with Mayor Valentin Hristov and Regional Governor Nikolay Abrashev here on Thursday. He expressed solidarity with the local residents and "the thousands of Bulgarians across the country tormented by drought".

 "Water is a basic value, and it is unthinkable that in European Bulgaria, the State cannot guarantee access to the most basic necessity, access to water," the head of State said.

He called for significant mobilization and coordination between all institutions at all levels is needed to find urgent, emergency, and short-term solution to the problem - not only a long-term one.

He added that the meeting discussed in detail the state of water supply in Pleven, the challenges and what has been done to solve them. "The problem is indeed very serious, but it will not be solved by shifting responsibility to local authorities," the President said. According to him, work is being done in all possible directions to ensure greater quantities of water to the city, as well as to optimize the water supply network.

The head of State pointed out that he expects those who make operational decisions in the country, who allocate public resources and exercise control, to visit Pleven and prove that they really think and work for the people. He also noted that several questions must be answered: where is the water disappearing to, what is happening to the funds allocated for water supply and sanitation, how are they being allocated and utilized?