It turned out to be a really hot day at the People’s Assembly of Bulgaria. Deputies canceled exceptions to EU sanctions against Bulgaria and banned the import of Russian oil from March 1. Deputies also canceled the energy contribution for the transit of Russian gas in order to join the Schengen zone, and allowed to increase the capital of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant so that the American Westinghouse could build two reactors.
Today in the Bulgarian parliament, passions ran high, and deputies of the Revival party faction blocked the rostrum. However, this did not stop pro-government deputies from banning the import of Russian oil from March 1. BGNES reports this. Parliamentarians also introduced a ban on the export of petroleum products from Russian oil from January 1. The restrictions apply to the Russian Lukoil, which owns the country’s largest oil refinery, in Burgas. The plant can produce up to 10 million tons of fuel annually. Previously, the EU allowed Bulgaria to import Russian oil until the end of 2024, and the deputies themselves in October adopted a law providing for a complete ban from October 1, 2024.
Even then, Lukoil announced that they would change the strategy for their Bulgarian assets, not excluding their sale.
Today, the People’s Assembly, by a majority vote, decided to increase the authorized capital of the Kozloduy NPP by 1.5 billion euros. This is necessary for the American Westinghouse to begin work on the construction of two AP1000 reactors.
However, the Bulgarian deputies worked during the meeting in favor of Gazprom. They canceled the energy tax on transit and import of Russian gas, which they introduced in October. Its size was $110 per thousand cubic meters, which corresponds to approximately a quarter of the current cost of fuel.
True, the abolition of the additional tax on Russian gas is not at all connected with relations with Russia. But it became a forced measure. Since, for example, Hungary officially warned Bulgaria that in response to the energy contribution it would block the country’s entry into the Schengen zone.
2023-12-18 13:05:00
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