Council of Ministers approves derogation for purchase, import or transfer by sea of crude oil from Russia

The Council of Ministers adopted a decision approving the possibility for the Republic of Bulgaria to apply the special derogation from Article 3m(1) and (2) of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, the government press office said on December 2.

The Cabinet decision authorises implementation in the period from 5 December 2022 to 31 December 2024 of contracts concluded before 4 June 2022, or additional contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts, for the purchase, import or transfer of crude oil transported by sea and petroleum products listed in Annex XXV of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, originating in or exported from Russia, in accordance with Article 3m(5) of the European Regulation.

The Decision also prohibits the sale to buyers located in another Member State or in a third country of petroleum products produced from crude oil transported by sea originating in Russia or exported from Russia under CN codes 2710, except for petroleum products listed in the Annex to the Decision of the Council of Ministers and in cases of bunkering. The ban shall enter into force on 5 March 2023.

The government decision also repeals the Council of minister’s Decision No 569 of 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/879 of 3 June 2022 amending Regulation (EU) 833/2014 and taking measures to lower fuel prices for citizens and economic operators.