site.btaOpposition Yes, Bulgaria Warns Against “Mafia Takeover” of Lukoil Refinery in Burgas

The Yes, Bulgaria party, which is part of the opposition Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria coalition, demands that the ministers of energy, economy, and finance be heard today in Parliament’s Energy Committee, after the United States imposed sanctions Wednesday on Russian oil company Lukoil. MP and Yes, Bulgaria co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev warned that the refinery must in no case fall into the hands of the Bulgarian mafia, as that would be even worse than the current situation.

Lukoil and the only oil refinery in Bulgaria and the largest in the Balkans. 

Mirchev said the sanctions are a serious message from the US and that the Burgas refinery is key to the country’s strategic infrastructure.

“Bulgaria must quickly decide what measures to take so that there is no fuel crisis and to adequately respond to the consequences of Washington’s sanctions against Lukoil. The faster the Burgas refinery is freed from Lukoil, the better for our country and its independence from Russian influence,” Mirchev said.

He also said, "[MRF - New Beginning leader] Delyan Peevski wants to buy the Lukoil Neftochim refinery, to take control of its entry and exit points, and to drain it dry, just as Multigroup was drained 20 or 30 years ago. It is necessary to act quickly to ensure that the refinery comes into the hands of a normal foreign investor, preferably Western, so that we are not dependent on Putin’s whims and so that Bulgarian consumers do not suffer because of what he is doing in Ukraine,” Mirchev stressed.

The MP added that the risk for the refinery to be acquired by Bulgarian mafia is considerable, as the country relies mainly on the refinery for its fuel, and the sudden imposition of sanctions carries the potential for a fuel market crisis. Mirchev also recalled a number of proposals made by his party for the state to have a representative in the refinery so that its interests are properly protected.

Asked to comment a legislative proposal that the sale of Lukoil be subject to approval by the State Agency for National Security (SANS) - rather than an interagency committee - Mirchev rcalled his party's position that such legislation would serve the interests of Delyan Peevski.

He believes this is most likely related to interests concerning the oil refinery and a building in the very heart of Sofia, that is owned by Russia.

Also, Mirchev said that Western intelligence services have already significantly limited information-sharing with their Bulgarian counterparts. “The reason is simple. They know that SANS is under the control of a political leader sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act. People in the services know this, it is known at all levels, and it is a disgrace for our country,” Mirchev concluded.