site.btaBulgaria Won't Participate in UN Global Compact for Migration; Politicians Comment Sunday's Protests

Sofia, November 12 (BTA) - A Coalition Council on Monday decided that Bulgaria is not going to participate in UN's Global Compact for Migration, GERB floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov told a news briefing, emerging from the meeting at the Council of Ministers. According to the Council, the agreement endangers Bulgaria's national interests.

In the focus of the Council were Sunday's nationwide protests against the high fuel prices. Tsvetanov said that the price of fuels is not set by the government or the Coalition Council.

Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said that Bulgaria does not produce crude oil and prices here follow global trends. Crude oil prices are expected to tend downwards slightly in 2019.

Goranov said that the government may hold a meeting with the Bulgarian Petrol and Gas Association to discuss the supply chain and prove to Bulgarian citizens that these are the price levels that can be applied in a market economy.

Asked about the rising prices of motor third party liability insurance, Goranov said that a price of 1,000 leva, up from the current 300 leva, is not on the agenda. He said that this is a speculation which aims to create chaos. The Coalition Council agreed that high-risk drivers should pay more. The Finance Minister said that an ordinance of the Financial Supervision Commission, which will introduce the bonus malus system from 2019, is still in its early stages.

Tsvetanov said that on Sunday in many cases protesters deliberately sought confrontation with those who were blocked on the road. "Everyone is free to choose between a political crisis and chaos and stability," said Tsvetanov.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, President Rumen Radev said that "protest rallies are a democratic right, they also restore the hope and dignity of the Bulgarians as citizens and are thus logical". According to the head of State, the powerholders are punishing the people for the poverty they are unable to tackle.

Radev declined to comment whether the protests were directed politically, but said that "no one can force people to protest on the street". In his words, a resignation of the government at a time of growing prices, inflation and crime is not a solution but shunning responsibility. "I expect the government and Parliament to show a way out of the situation," the President said. LI/PP, ZH
/МЙ/

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