site.btaEU Presidency Minister Pavlova: Bulgaria Won't Bring Up Question of Lifting EU Sanctions against Russia during Presidency

Sofia, January 2 (BTA) - Bulgarian EU Presidency Minister Liliyana Pavlova told Bulgarian National TV on Tuesday that Bulgaria will not bring up the question of lifting the EU sanctions against Russia during the time it hosts the EU Presidency in the first half of 2018.

Pavlova said she is surprised by the interpretation of the TASS Russian News Agency's report, in which she is quoted as saying that Bulgaria finds it necessary to include on the agenda of the upcoming debates in the EU the question of the sanctions against Russia as one of the priorities during the Bulgarian EU Presidency.

The Bulgarian Minister told National TV that a decision was made in December to extend the sanctions until July 30. She said the topic is closed and will not be brought up during the Bulgarian EU Presidency. Meanwhile, the competent working group which analyses the sanctions' impact will continue working and the EU Member States' leaders will make a decision in July.