/ world today news/ Rumen Radev hosts a round table dedicated to the problems with the high prices of electricity and natural gas
I expect clear and timely measures to solve the price crisis in electricity and natural gas, which contain a specific horizon, term and scope and lead to quick real results. Up until now, business in our country has been the main victim of the unprecedented situation, but it also affects all Bulgarian citizens, who pay higher prices for almost every good and service. We have gathered today to seek urgent anti-crisis solutions to give peace of mind to society and businesses.
This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a round table on the topic “Measures to solve the problem of the high price of electricity and natural gas. Preparation of Bulgaria’s position before the EU.” The meeting was held at the initiative of the head of state. It was attended by Vice President Iliana Yotova, Prime Minister Stefan Yanev, ministers from the caretaker government, heads of energy companies, the chairman of KEVR, representatives of trade unions and employers, mayors of municipalities.
An unprecedented, unprecedented energy crisis is swirling in Europe, Bulgaria is not left behind, as the reasons for it are both global and domestic, the president said. He called on the crisis not to be politicized and not to be used for manipulations by those who during their administration did not make a single significant reform and are directly responsible for the problems in the energy sector. Rumen Radev appealed for efforts to be directed towards finding solutions and noted that in the last decade, serious problems and indebtedness have accumulated in the sector, and our country does not have an energy strategy to lead the transformation process with a view to the European green deal. According to the head of state, in recent years Bulgaria has missed important opportunities to receive financial compensation from the EU for the closure of coal power generation and to achieve more favorable conditions for a moderate and sustainable transition to decarbonization. He noted the limitations faced by the caretaker government – the impossibility of changes in legal and regulatory requirements due to the absence of a parliament.
Rumen Radev emphasized that problems can be solved through dialogue and good coordination. “Help must reach everyone at the critical moment. The state must definitely help, and I expect that the mechanisms for this to happen within the framework of the law will be specified as soon as possible,” the president said.
According to him, the priorities in the current situation are clear: to guarantee social tolerance for citizens, to secure the most important units in education, healthcare and infrastructure and to support business, whose contribution to the budget is vital. The head of state asked for categorical guarantees that schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other socially important consumers, who are already on the free electricity market, will be provided with energy. The President insisted that the working group propose concrete solutions as soon as possible.
Rumen Radev asked to hear the opinion of the participants in the meeting in the context of the upcoming meeting of the European Council on October 21 and 22. “This problem is pan-European, we expect and must work actively and look for pan-European solutions. Bulgaria’s position is important in this direction,” the head of state said. The head of state committed at the upcoming European Council that Bulgaria will work to mitigate the consequences of the green transition: “We must not lose the balance with the social situation of European citizens and the preservation of the competitiveness of the Union”.
Rumen Radev gave a positive assessment of the caretaker government’s decision, in parallel with the budget update, to propose expanding the scope of measures to overcome energy poverty by increasing both the number of persons covered by the measures and the amount of aid.
During the meeting, Acting Prime Minister Stefan Yanev stated that a working group was created to prepare a new energy development strategy for the Republic of Bulgaria. In order to overcome the current price problems in the short term, however, non-traditional solutions will be sought to protect Bulgarian business and consumers, the prime minister was categorical.
Acting Minister of Energy Andrey Zhivkov defined the financial measures to support business as important and achievable, which will guarantee greater flexibility and speed of implementation than the implementation of changes in regulatory documents.
During the meeting, Minister of Economy Daniela Vezieva pointed out that the Ministry, together with the Central Depository, has prepared a project for a Clearing House for electricity trading. The second short-term measure of the ministry will be the signing of an agreement on subcontracting of working capital under the Small Business Support Scheme, which will guarantee assistance in the amount of BGN 60 million for businesses.
Official Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Social Policies Galab Donev emphasized that a consensus is needed when defining the complex concept of energy poverty. According to him, the importance of social assistance for heating is growing and the government is looking for more sources to cover a larger number of vulnerable consumers. The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged the introduction of the so-called “social tariffs” that are present in the recommendations of the EC.
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