site.btaFuel Supply Secured until End of 2025 - Energy Minister Stankov

Bulgaria has a clear action plan following the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil (Russia’s largest oil companies), and fuel supplies for the domestic market are fully secured until the end of the year, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said Friday after a working meeting at the Council of Ministers convened by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, Foreign Minister Georgi Georgiev, Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, Economy Minister Peter Dilov, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev, and the heads of the national security agencies.

“At this stage, the government has a clear action plan. As the minister responsible, I will activate this plan related to oil and petroleum product supplies, which consists of several phases,” Stankov said.

The first phase involves verification and monitoring of available fuel quantities in the country in coordination with the State Reserve and War-Time Stocks Agency. The second phase envisages preventive measures and active dialogue with stakeholders to prepare a detailed operational plan.

“The key message today is that Bulgarian citizens should remain calm. Fuel for domestic consumption is fully secured, and the state has guaranteed sufficient quantities through the end of the year,” the minister stressed.

Stankov urged political parties not to overdramatize the issue or play on public fears.

He emphasized that Bulgaria will act in coordination with its European partners facing the same situation, through the European Commission’s Coordination Group for Oil and Petroleum Products, to develop a common EU contingency plan for such cases.

Regarding speculation about possible fuel price increases, Stankov assured that the market will be closely monitored and control measures will be taken if necessary.