Gloating Russian Media: Bulgaria PM on Our Side of The Fence

Business » ENERGY | April 7, 2011, Thursday // 15:10
Bulgaria: Gloating Russian Media: Bulgaria PM on Our Side of The Fence Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is pictured here at the opening of the conference "Energy without frontiers" in Sofia, November 30, 2010. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The scandal, which shattered the Bulgarian government, following the signing of an agreement with Rosatom Corp on Belene nuclear power plant, is close to a beneficial for Russia resolution, according to local media.

"Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has defended and reinstated Krasimir Parvanov, head of Bulgaria's National Electricity Co [who signed the accord]. One of the main reasons for this loyalty stems from the threats that the Russian side would have had reason to take Bulgaria to court for an unfulfilled contract and seek to be paid EUR 1 B in damages," the Russian Komersant wrote in its latest issue.

"It must be pointed out that Belene is the only chance for Russia to build in the medium term a nuclear power plant on the territory of the European Union. This is the reason why Russia's nuclear lobbyists are very keen to make sure the Bulgarian door stays open," Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper comments.

The article stresses that during the negotiations for constructing a 2,000 megawatt nuclear plant on the Danube, in the north of the country, both sides have resorted to open blackmail – the Bulgarians threatened to drop Atomstroyexport, while the Russians said they would take the case to court and seek damages.

The head of the National Electric Company NEK Krasimir Parvanov signed on Tuesday an agreement with Rosatom's subsidiary Atomstroyexport that potentially threatens Bulgaria's national interests by obliging the Bulgarian government to reach a final agreement with the Russians on Belene by June 1, 2001.

The sneaky move was slammed by the Economy and Energy Minister Traicho Traikov and led to Parvanov's dismissal, which was eventually overturned by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Borisov harshly criticized the minister's hasty and emotional reaction and threatened him with being kicked out of office.

It turned out that Parvanov has coordinated his actions with Deputy Prime Minister Simeon Djankov, who oversees finance and economy.

It is still an open question whether the signed document is legally binding. The issue has stirred heated debates in Bulgaria as it comes before the two sides agree on the price of the project and conduct safety checks.

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Tags: Economy and Energy Minister, Russia, Krasimir, Parvanov, NEK, Rosatom, NPP, Belene, Atomstroyexport, National Electric Company, NEK, Traicho Traikov, Simeon Djankov, press conference, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, Council of Ministers

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