site.btaIn "Kommersant" Interview, President Radev Discusses Sofia-Brussels-Moscow Relations, Jet Fighters, Natgas, Belene

Moscow, May 21 (BTA) - Under the title "No Sanctions Are For Ever", "Kommersant" carries in its Monday issue an interview which Bulgarian President Rumen Radev granted in writing to the daily's correspondents on the eve of his two-day visit to Russia.

Radev says that he will be the first Bulgarian president to meet with a Russian president in ten years. "Such prolonged absence of dialogue is inconsistent with our peoples' interests," he points out, adding that "what is important now is to restore confidence and go ahead with specific actions."

Asked how Bulgaria explained to its EU partners its decision against expelling Russian diplomats in the wake of the Skripal scandal, the President says that, in his opinion, "this responsible decision was the only possible one in this complicated situation requiring a principled and far-sighted response."

Approached about Sofia's opinion on the sanctions against Russia in connection with the Crimea situation, Radev says that "sanctions damage all parties and are an inefficient instrument." "The lifting of the [EU] sanctions [against Russia] is contingent on the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all parties. Their implementation would make it possible to restore confidence between the EU and Russia and, hence, would contribute to a further deepening and broadening of bilateral Bulgarian-Russian cooperation." "The EU and Russia must decide whether they want to build their relationship and address their contentious issues by engaging in dialogue or by giving up dialogue," the interviewee says, noting the activation of dialogue in recent days, which is evidenced by the visits to Russia by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, himself and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Replying to a question, the head of State says that both Bulgaria and Russia are already taking measures to simplify visa requirements, which are producing fine results in tourist exchange.

Radev declines to comment on a statement by his predecessor Rosen Plevneliev that Russia finances political parties and interferes in Bulgaria's internal affairs. "I can confidently say that such actions can only be detrimental in a country where Russia historically enjoys friendly treatment," he adds.

Defence Matters

Asked about a 40.5 million euro framework agreement that the Bulgarian Government signed in March 2018 with the Russian MiG Corporation on the maintenance of the Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighters, the President says that this sum is exceedingly scant to ensure the airworthiness of a sufficient number of fighter aircraft until a new type of aircraft enters service. "The problem with the technical maintenance of the fighter aviation will not be solved, but this will enable Bulgaria to guarantee its air sovereignty on its own," he adds.

Answering another question, the President says that, realistically, a purchase of additional MiG fighters from Russia is impossible because, according to the requirements approved by the Bulgarian Government, the new fighters must be manufactured and used in at least one NATO or EU Member State.

"It has to be pointed out that the Alliance has not adopted a decision on the formation of a so-called Black Sea flotilla. Bulgaria has always believed that the actions taken in the field of defence should not lead to an escalation of tensions. Both the NATO countries and Russia must share this principle in the Black Sea region," Radev says further in his interview.

Energy Prospects

In his opinion, Bulgaria needs direct supplies of Russian natural gas across the Black Sea - something he calls "Bulgarian Stream". "Such an approach is dictated by common sense and the requirements of energy security and efficiency not only with regard to Bulgaria but to the EU at large," the President argues. He hopes that both Moscow and Brussels will show understanding of this idea.

Asked whether Bulgaria and the EU have agreed on Russian gas transit via Bulgaria over the Turkish Stream pipeline after 2019, the head of State says that "Bulgaria is firmly resolved to strengthen its position as a regional gas distribution centre, and the EU supports us in this." He specifies that one of the principal objectives of a feasibility study project, for which the Connect Europe Facility has granted 920,000 euro, is to increase the natural gas transit, including Russian gas, across Bulgarian territory.

Approached for comment on the implications for Bulgarian and EU energy security of the fact that Turkey is supposed to supplant Bulgaria as a transit country for Russian gas as a result of the replacement of South Stream by Turkish Stream, the interviewee says that "the route across Bulgarian territory is a logical choice for the increase of Russian gas supplies to Europe." He is convinced that "Russian gas making landfall straight on Bulgaria's Black Sea shore is in our shared interests," noting that the existing and operational gas transmission system and its interconnectors with neighbouring countries gives Bulgaria a very strong argument in favour of this option.

About the Belene N-Plant construction project, Radev told "Kommersant" that 3,000 million leva in Bulgarian taxpayers' money have already been invested in it and the bulk of the equipment has been paid for and delivered. The project has been notified by the European Commission, and the site is built and licensed. "Foreign investors are showing interest in the Belene N-Plant, and I expect that the Bulgarian Government will proceed with the implementation of this project precisely by selecting a strategic investor," the President says.