Bulgaria PM Dismisses Belene Nuclear Plant Scandal as 'Political Talk'

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, wants an end to the discussion about the scandal surrounding the Belene NPP and Russian participation in it, dismissing it as "political talk." Photo by BGNES

The newly signed document between Bulgaria and Russia for the construction of the Belene nuclear plant, which caused a scandal among Bulgarian ministers, is no threat to the country's national security, according to PM Boyko Borisov.

He commented on the signed annex 12 with the Russian "Atomstroyexport" regarding the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant, NPP, in the Danube town of Belene Wednesday during the regularly scheduled Council of Ministers meeting, according to the shorthand notes, distributed by the cabinet's press office.

Borisov stressed with the signed memorandum Bulgaria has what it wanted - a three-month grace period.

"I remind that on April 1 we either had to sign this agreement or we had to face the Arbitration Court in Paris. Now, we have a two-month postponement," the PM said.

(In the shorthand notes Borisov says at first three months and then – two.)

In his statement the PM further informs the cabinet that his Deputy and Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, had, indeed, been aware about the text of the agreement and had approved it, as the ousted Director of the National Electric Company, NEK, Krasimir Parvanov, who signed the notorious document, insists.

Despite the above, Borisov added that if it is proven Parvanov failed to inform Economy and Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, he would support the latter's demand to fire the NEK Head.

"We had a conference call last night with Ministers Traikov and Djankov, and their opinions differ. But I asked them to postpone the discussion on the subject until the Finance Minister returns from his visit to the US," the PM explained, asking everyone to halt "political talk on Belene."

"We must stop delivering this confusing political information and give our adversaries reasons to say we have done something different than what has been agreed on previously. This takes us years back and meanwhile we will be outdone by other countries, "Borisov concluded.

The Bulgarian daily Dnevnik further informs that the cabinet's press office has told them they would not make public the conversation between the PM and Krasimir Parvanov.

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