The President: Bulgaria expects reliable fuel supplies and predictable prices

Bulgaria expects reliable supplies and predictable fuel prices. This was stated by the head of state Rumen Radev during a conversation today in the presidential institution with the management of "Lukoil" after their meeting with the prime minister and representatives of the government in the Council of Ministers.

President Radev emphasized the good cooperation and open dialogue of the Cabinet with Lukoil, as a result of which fuel prices were permanently reduced to the lowest levels in the EU, and the company transferred its headquarters from Switzerland to Bulgaria and began paying its taxes in our country. This was recalled by the press center of the presidency.

The company's possibilities for alternative oil supplies, to ensure continuity in the production process and to guarantee the employment of workers in the new situation after the termination of the Rosenets port concession, and the actions taken by the management to prematurely suspend the derogation for imports of Russian crude oil, were the focus of the conversation.

"Lukoil Neftohim Burgas" will fulfill its commitment to switch to non-Russian oil processing.

This was stated by representatives of the company at a meeting with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov today. Reasonable timelines for completing this transition before the expiry of the derogation allowed by the European Commission (EC) until the end of 2024 were discussed. The parties agreed to continue the dialogue on this matter.

The reason for the conversation on this topic is the proposal for an early termination of the exemption from the European oil embargo for Russia, submitted to the parliament before its summer vacation by people's representatives from "GERB-SDS", "Continuing the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

The Prime Minister raised the question of the regular payment of advance taxes that "Lukoil" owes to the state budget. In addition to the 10% corporate tax, by law the company must pay another 33% temporary solidarity contribution. Before the Prime Minister, the representatives of "Lukoil" confirmed their readiness to fulfill their obligation in accordance with the requirements of the law.