site.bta Socialist Leader Says Effects of EU-Russia Tensions Are Felt in Various Industries

Socialist Leader Says Effects of EU-Russia Tensions Are Felt in Various Industries

Sofia, April 2 (BTA) - The effects of the sanctions against
Russia and the Russian countersanctions are becoming ever more
tangible and are felt in various industries day after day,
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Chairman Mihail Mikov said in
Sofia on Thursday, opening an international conference on the
EU's economic sanctions against Russia and their impact on
Southeastern Europe. The conference was organized by the Civic
Association for Objective and Trustworthy Information, the BSP
press office reported.

Mikov recalled that last week he met with Bulgarian potassium
producers who are directly affected by the restrictions on
Russia, a major market for them. He also noted the impact on
tourism and the expected decrease in the tourist flow to
Bulgaria.

Besides the direct effects, there is also the fact that
traditional economic relations are redirected towards other
parts of the world, he said.

Mikov pointed to the considerable pressure exerted by
manufacturers in "old Europe" upon the markets of Southeastern
Europe since access to the Russian market became restricted. The
 milk industry in Southeastern Europe, which is still weak and
uncompetitive, has been affected by the removal of milk quotas,
he said.

"The sanctions, as a type of action, are wrong. The price is
being paid by the manufacturers, by the people," Mikov said.

Valeri Zhablyanov MP of the BSP-Left Bulgaria Coalition said
that BSP has on three occasions proposed to Parliament to
discuss the impact of the sanctions against Russia, but the
proposal has been dismissed by the incumbents. Zhablyanov said:
"The Bulgarian National Assembly refuses to discuss the matter
and considers it to be predetermined. This kind of conduct of a
national parliament is indicative of the whole political climate
 in Europe, particularly Eastern Europe. National parliaments
have abandoned their role, they have taken on a subservient role
 in respect of the European Parliament and the European
Commission, implementing the policies of these institutions
without criticism."

The conference was attended by guests from Greece, Hungary,
Italy, Serbia and Spain, members of business associations in
tourism, construction and mechanical engineering, the Bulgarian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and NGOs.