Borisov: The profit from "Balkan Stream" is over BGN 1.3 billion, the project is a huge contribution to our country
With their actions, the Bulgarian MPs risk destroying the trust not only in the Parliament, but also in the country as a whole, after the energy sector
The leader of GERB, Boyko Borisov, stated in the parliament that his party is ready today to vote on a decision to stop "Balkan Stream", but this would be national betrayal. The pipe is 100% Bulgarian, entirely on the territory of Bulgaria, the shares are 100% owned by the Bulgarians, recalled the leader of GERB.
The occasion for his speech on the sidelines of the National Assembly was the PP-DB's proposal to create a temporary parliamentary commission to establish facts and circumstances regarding the missing Road Map for the Turkish Stream project.
"If the colleagues think that we should hand over our interests to Greece, we can stop "Balkan Stream" today or, if they want, let it go for privatization, see what money they will get for it. I suggest that we either stop it or to sell it. But that would be national betrayal. If we are going to work for the interests of other countries, then it should be clear that we are working for the interests of other countries," said the GERB leader.
According to him, as of today, "Balkan Stream" has a net profit of over 1 billion 309 million BGN. "There is no such business, something done in our country, which brings such a huge contribution in money to the Bulgarians, geostrategically, you see how we punish both Austria and Hungary when we want," he pointed out, reminding the PP-DB submitted for voting, and - late and canceled fee of BGN 20/MWh for "Balkan Stream". As is known, then "Bulgartransgaz" went into debt with over BGN 200 million, and then with accounting tricks the amount was simplified.
Today, the MPs are preparing to discuss the project submitted by the PP-DB to create a temporary commission for "Turkish Stream". They want a temporary committee for Lukoil from GERB. PP-DB want their own person to be the chairman of the temporary commission for "Turkish Stream" and propose a person to GERB for the one for "Lukoil". The party is adamant that there is nothing to worry about in the case.
The exsanguination of the Bulgarian energy industry, as it becomes clear, starts precisely from the politicians in the Bulgarian parliament. Three years ago, again before the elections and again in April, the Temporary Commission for the Investigation of Abuses and Violations in the Spending of Funds conducted a cross-examination of the then-resigned minister Temenuzhka Petkova and the director of Bulgartransgaz, Vladimir Malinov, more than three hours apart. for the costs of the project to expand the gas transportation system of Bulgaria. Then there was also talk of the "Turkey Stream road map". There is certainly a transcript in the archives of the National Assembly. And the full name of the structure was the Temporary Commission for the Investigation of Abuses and Violations in the Spending of Funds by the Ministry of Justice, Ministries, State Bodies, State Enterprises and Companies with More than 50 Percent State Participation in the Last 10 Years (Temporary Commission for the Investigation of abuses).
It is clear that the gas pipeline passing through our country is profitable, that it has prepaid and reserved capacity. It is also clear that the project is of strategic importance for our country. Deputies in the National Assembly are not elected as investigative bodies, but for the adoption of laws that lead to the improvement of the well-being of citizens and the defense of national sovereignty and the security of the country. To date, with their actions, the Bulgarian MPs risk destroying not only the institution in which they sit warm and feel protected, but also the state.
The generated revenues are not at all small, and as can be seen from recent years, it is the energy sector and its revenues that are at the core of financial policy and the improvement of people's well-being. This year, it is again planned that 100% of the dividend of the energy companies will be taken away for the benefit of the budget, as this also applies to the revenues from "Balkan Stream".