PRIME MINISTER ORESHARSKI: BULGARIA WILL NOT VETO EU SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA

Bulgaria will not use its veto if the European Union decides to impose sanctions on Russia because of the situation in Crimea and Ukraine. This was stated by the Prime Minister Oresharski after a two hour meeting with Russian and Bulgarian businessmen held on 25th March in Sofia.

The Prime Minister made it clear that Bulgaria would conform to the visa restrictions and asset freeze, which EU agreed to impose on 21 Russian and Ukrainian officials. The list includes the Chairrman of the Russian State Duma, Sergei Narishkin, who is expected to visit Bulgaria in May.

Oresharski stated that in the context of the relation Russia-Ukraine-European Union, the Bulgarian business representatives expressed concerns regarding the perspectives for economic relations with Russia and in particular about the effect on the tourist season. The Prime Minister has assured them that Bulgaria seeks to encourage economic relations with all foreign trade partners.

Some business representatives expressed criticism that different Bulgarian institutions gave divergent signals as regards Ukraine. The Prime Minister clarified that this was before the meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security, convened by the President on 24th March.