Bulgaria will not send fighter jets to Ukraine

The main focus of the Council of Ministers meeting was the war in Ukraine and the consequences for the Ukrainian citizens on Bulgarian territory, as well as for the Bulgarian population, the spokesperson of the Council of Ministers Lena Borislavova said at a briefing on March 9.

Bulgaria will not send fighter jets to Ukraine, the government stands by this decision, Borislavova replied to a journalist's question.

Accelerated inclusion of Ukrainian citizens in the labour market will be implemented to allow their integration. Short-term humanitarian aid will be provided for 3 months, this aid is up to BGN 40 per day. This measure will also support the Bulgarian tourism sector - hotels and accommodation facilities that expect an outflow of tourists.

There are about 30,000 Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria who have to register with status by 31 March to be eligible for the aid, Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev said.

The Ministry of Agriculture will be able to buy wheat, sunflower seeds and corn for the reserve, to the total amount of 1.1 billion BGN. There is no export ban, Assen Vassilev said.

Prices of sunflower oil have been discussed as there has been a sharp increase in the past two days, which cannot be explained with lack of raw materials or stocks, Borislavova said.

A price of BGN 5 per litre of sunflower oil is speculation, Economy Minister Kornelia Ninova said, specifying that the production price is BGN 2 per litre.

Sunflower oil producers are withholding quantities in anticipation of exporting it at higher prices or in anticipation of price increases. We will not allow a few to become millionaires for a few days and nights at the expense of the Bulgarian citizens, Ninova said. The Consumer Protection Commission will be notified in order to start inspections.