Extending Farm Land Moratorium Discredits Bulgaria, Says Foreign Min

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister believes the Parliament's decision to extend the moratorium on agricultural land sale to foreigners discredits the country's international position.

"I am astonished at the manner in which such a decision, which would have dire consequences for Bulgaria, was taken", said Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin for the Bulgarian National Radio.

Vigenin is disappointed that no serious discussion and analysis was initiated on the topic, prior to Tuesday's vote. He believes the decision was taken on purely subjective fears, that foreigners will buy out Bulgaria's farming land.

The Foreign Minister respects the decision of the National Assembly, as the country's supreme legislative body, but outlines that such moves must be carefully coordinated with international conventions and agreements signed by Bulgaria.

On Tuesday, Bulgaria's Parliament controversially decided to extend the ban on sale of agricultural land to foreigners until 2020.

Earlier, the European Commission warned that this would breach Bulgaria's commitment to lift the moratorium, which expires at the end of 2013.

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