site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Describes Actions of Security Services at Lukoil as Preventative in Nature, Aimed at Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The actions of the State Agency for National Security (SANS), the Ministry of Interior (MoI), and the Ministry of Defense (MoD) at Lukoil are preventive measures aimed at preserving critical infrastructure, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters during the international conference on Artificial Intelligence and IT Audit in Safeguarding Public Resources, held here on Monday. 

The Government said on Sunday it has ramped up security at Lukoil sites nationwide. This includes reinforced land, water and air protection for critical infrastructure, and inspections of safety and classified information procedures at Lukoil Neftochim Burgas and Lukoil-Bulgaria.

“Even before the sanctions were imposed, we saw incidents at refineries in Europe that are owned by Russian companies, so these preventive actions are meant to protect the critical infrastructure represented by the refinery and other facilities of Lukoil’s engineering infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said Monday.

According to Zhelyazkov, Bulgaria will ensure compliance with the sanctions in line with their clear objective — that not a single cent goes toward the war in Ukraine. “The legislation adopted on Friday is, in fact, the answer to the question of what the legal framework will be for implementing this policy,” he emphasized.

In two readings held during a single sitting on Friday, the National Assembly expanded the powers of the figure of the special commercial administrator of a critical infrastructure facility by adopting amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products. The amendments were prompted by plans to appoint a special commercial administrator to oversee Russian oil company Lukoil's assets in Bulgaria.

“From day one of the sanctions being imposed, we have been in constant communication with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as well as with the Department of State and the Department of Energy,” the Prime Minister said. “We have held numerous discussions involving Ministers Zhecho Stankov [of Energy] and Georgi Georgiev [of Justice],” he added.

Zhelyazkov announced that the special administrator will be a natural person or persons who will be designated after the necessary background checks. He noted that there have always been specific names in consideration — even in the scenario when Bulgaria had to transition from Russian oil to diversification.

“There are names under discussion, so the moment the law enters into force, we will announce them,” he said.

Rosen Zhelyazkov reaffirmed that the country has sufficient fuel supplies, including reserves in the State Reserve.