Bulgaria has approved measures to tackle negative developments that could arise from the Ukrainian standoff.

An emergency plan on Ukraine was adopted by the Security Council with the Council of Ministers called by Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski to discuss urgent action in case of a long-lasting crisis, Bulgarian website Dnevnik.bg has reported.

Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev announced that all aspects of the situation in Ukraine and scenarios for their development had been discussed at the meeting.

Economic peril tops the agenda, as a long-lasting conflict could put gas supplies in jeopardy.

Work at the Lukoil-Neftohim refinery, located in the Black Sea city of Burgas, could also be hindered as the port where the plant receives its oil is situated in Ukraine.
Construction of the South Stream pipeline, which is to make its way to Central Europe through Bulgarian land, might also be disrupted, especially if sanctions are imposed to Russia for having dispatched troops to Crimea.
Immigration could also constitute a serious problem, with Bulgarian population living in the country estimated now between 250 000 and 300 000. Xenophobia and ethnic tensions that have been on the rise over the last weeks could pose a threat to the Bulgarian minority.

The steps approved by the Security Council include:

1. The creation of a National Staff monitoring the situation in Ukraine and adopting measures to reduce risks to Bulgaria's security.

2. Evaluation of Bulgaria's gas and oil reserves and the means of reaction in case supplies from Ukraine or work at the Lukoil-Neftohim plant in Burgas come to a halt.

3. Development of a National plan suggesting responses in case of a refugee tide from Ukraine.

4. Reviewal and update of Bulgaria's strategies to a possible radioactive pollution that could reach the country from Ukrainian soil.

5. Tightening of border and customs control applied to citizens, goods, and cargo to and from Ukraine to prevent arms trafficking.

6. Balanced foreign policy toward the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

7. Reviewal of plans for transportation of fresh and used nuclear fuel from Kozloduy nuclear plant.