Bulgarian Energy Minister: No Room for Sulking in Politics

Energy | April 12, 2011, Tuesday // 11:54|  views

Bulgaria's Minister of Economy and Energy, Traicho Traikov, insists he is a teammate when it comes to other members of the cabinet. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Minister of Economy and Energy, Traicho Traikov, declared Tuesday the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant in the Danube town of Belene in Bulgaria was "staying with him."

Traikov spoke in an interview for the morning show of the largest private TV channel bTV, one day after Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, said he had placed his Deputy and Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, "in charge of fighting for a good price," but added Djankov cannot be the sole player, and for this reason there would be a special committee chaired by the Energy Minister.

The latter reiterated before bTV the most important issue in the realization of the project is to negotiate a good price both for the NPP construction and the energy to be produced there.

"We have the capacity and the ability to protect our national interests. If by June 1, Bulgaria and Russia cannot reach an agreement on all issues, then the negotiation deadline can be extended," Traikov said all while vowing the public will be informed about everything on the subject and there would be a large open debate.

The Minister stated he is not feeling humiliated by the fact Borisov annulled his decision to fire the Director of the National Electric Company, NEK, Krasimir Parvanov, or by anything that has been said about his actions in the last few days.

"Mr. Borisov has the right to have requirements for his ministers. There is no room for sulking. Those who do it must go," Traikov explained. He informed he had presented the PM with his own motives for asking for Parvanov's dismissal, and it "seemed Borisov has accepted them." The proposal, however, must be discussed and voted by the Bulgarian Energy Holding, BEH.

"I play by the rules; I listen to the opinions of my teammates – other members of the cabinet; it is yet to be seen what the results will be," the Minister pointed out when asked to comment on Borisov giving him a last warning over the Belene scandal.

The scandal broke one week ago, after it was revealed that the NEK Director had signed an agreement with Russia's Rosatom's subsidiary Atomstroyexport, called by Traikov a breach of national security because it potentially binds Bulgaria to build its second Nuclear Power Plant with Russian participation.

Traikov slammed Parvanov and announced he is going to be fired, but the dismissal was later overturned by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Borisov harshly criticized the Energy 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.

Last Friday, Traikov told the Members of the Parliament he "stood firm behind his words and actions" after "firing" Parvanov for signing the notorious annex 12 to the agreement with the Russian side on the country's NPP.

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Tags: Belene, Russian, Traicho Traikov, Simeon Djankov, Krasimir Parvanov, National Electric Company, Boyko Borisov, Economy and Energy Minister, Russia, Krasimir Parvanov, NEK, Rosatom, NPP, Belene, Atomstroyexport, National Electric Company, NEK, Traicho Traikov, Simeon Djankov

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