Bulgarian FinMin Raises Eyebrows with Vietnam Trip

Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is pictured with his cabinet head Irina Velkova. Photo by 24 Chasa daily

Bulgarian Finance Minister and Deputy PM Simeon Djankov's recent trip to Vietnam has led to critical and suspicious reports in the Bulgarian media.

Djankov is accused of having gone to Vietnam to enjoy the birthday of his close aide Irina Velkova, who is the head of his cabinet in articles by the 24 Chasa daily and the 168 Weekly.

The papers report that Bulgaria's draft 2013 State Budget Act "had to be tabled to the Parliament quietly" last week instead of being formally presented by the Finance Minister as the latter was in Vietnam between October 16 and October 19, 2012.

However, citing "two independent sources", the press have also pointed out that Djankov was accompanied only by his cabinet chief, Irina Velkova, and that, "coincidentally or not", she had her birthday on October 17 during the "exotic trip".

The Bulgarian delegation to Vietnam also featured Deputy Defense Minister Valentin Radev and experts from the Defense Ministry but they had a separate program, and Finance Minister Djankov was all on his own with his aide Velkova, who also celebrated a birthday during the trip.

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