President Radev: The most important outcome of the elections should be for Bulgaria to have a functioning Parliament and a sustainable government

The most important outcome of these elections should be for Bulgaria to have a functioning Parliament and a sustainable regular government to continue the policy of protecting Bulgarian public and businesses in a crisis, to adopt the legal framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and to undertake the decisive reforms with a long-term horizon that we all expect. I very much hope that the parties have learnt their lessons and that in this campaign they will not burn the bridges on which they will have to negotiate to form a government. This is how President Rumen Radev commented on the election campaign that started today, September 2, after his arrival at Sofia Airport from a visit to the United Arab Emirates.

"I hope the parties will campaign with an eye to the future, to the interests of society and on the basis of facts, not on the basis of misusing them. Our society also expects this caretaker government to conduct fair elections that will protect the citizens' vote and prevent it from being distorted by a corporate and controlled vote," said Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria.

Referring to the rising energy prices, Radev said the caretaker cabinet should make great efforts and work on all possible options to ensure reliable supplies of natural gas at affordable prices.

"Gazprom is one of the options that has not yet been exhausted, but it should be clear that “Gazprom” is not the only solution and not at any price. "Gazprom” is only a solution if good conditions are reached in terms of price and in terms of rescheduling supplies. Therefore, the government should continue to work in all possible directions and options so as to guarantee supplies and their price. I expect the government to continue working actively to lower fuel prices," President Radev stressed.

Asked whether the caretaker government can leave a ready framework of the budget for the next year to a new regular cabinet, Rumen Radev said that the caretaker government is obliged to develop a budget and hand it over to the next regular government and the Parliament, regardless of its level of readiness, and accordingly they should make adjustments and adopt it.

President Radev from UAE: We will sign a memorandum on strategic partnership between the two countries

President Radev's visit was at the invitation of UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Within the framework of the visit, bilateral documents in various sectors were signed in the presence of the two Heads of State. A business forum was also held with the participation of Bulgarian companies, organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.

President Radev from Abu Dhabi Business Forum: Bulgaria can produce and export the fuel of the future