site.btaVolya Leader Mareshki: Valentin Zlatev Will not Be Head of Lukoil Bulgaria for Long

Sofia, November 22 (BTA) - Speaking at a news conference in Parliament here on Wednesday, Volya leader Vesselin Mareshki made a "prediction" that Valentin Zlatev will not continue being the Director of Lukoil Bulgaria for long. Mareshki alleged that Zlatev is complaining from State institutions for doing their job by conducting inspections, also hinting that revenues in the billions have been generated for years, but left almost completely untaxed in Bulgaria. "I can bet that it won't be long before Valentin Zlatev ceases to be the head of this company," Mareshki said, adding that he has information that Zlatev's resignation will soon be a fact.

An oil trader on Tuesday accused Mareshki of unlawfully undercutting business competitors through his two fuel companies. Mareshki struck back by saying that he has alerted visiting European Parliament leaders about a fuel cartel in Bulgaria.

Tuesday's war of words began when Lukoil Bulgaria Director General Valentin Zlatev announced that member companies of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association (BPGA) will petition the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) on Wednesday against what they see as a textbook example of dumping by Mareshki's two fuel companies.

Mareshki recalled that back in 2005 all of his competitors in the pharmacy business had submitted complaints to the CPC against his companies, but he was acquitted.