President Radev to Charles Michel: EU should react if there is speculation on the energy market

Small and medium-sized businesses need to be supported effectively at European level due to the crisis with high electricity and gas prices. If protection measures are not taken, there is a risk to the social systems of the Member States and to the unity of the Union, said President Rumen Radev, who participated in a video conference with European Council President Charles Michel on December 13.

The conversation was initiated by Charles Michel in preparation for the regular meeting of the European Council, which will take place on December 16 in Brussels. The President of the European Council briefed on the topics on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting and the Eastern Partnership Summit.

The President pointed out that as of December 13 Bulgaria has a regular government, which will facilitate the implementation of policies to protect business and consumers. Rumen Radev said the caretaker government had focused its efforts on supporting businesses in a complex situation without a functioning parliament to take legislative measures to reduce the crisis. The programme, which has been running for two months, provides for direct business support of 55 euros for each megawatt-hour of electricity used.

Rumen Radev noted that if there are attempts to speculate on the electricity and gas markets, measures should be taken to counter them at European level.

The construction of the interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece will contribute to energy security not only in the region, but for the whole of Europe, said Rumen Radev.

Nuclear energy should be recognized as "green", without being classified as a transitional type of energy, as such an approach would hinder more significant investments in this sector, Rumen Radev added.

Among the issues discussed during the conference were the fight against the spread of coronavirus, migratory pressure, aspects of the European Union's foreign relations, security and European defence.