site.btaEconomy Minister Loukarski: Given Russian Sanctions, Ukraine Is an Alternative Market for Bulgaria

Economy Minister Loukarski: Given Russian Sanctions,
Ukraine Is an Alternative Market
for Bulgaria


Sofia, January 20 (BTA) - Meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador
Mykola Baltazhy on Monday, Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski
said Bulgaria would seek markets as an alternative to Russia,
and Ukraine could be one of them, his Ministry said.

Bulgarian exporters are sustaining heavy losses from Moscow's
restrictions on the access of Bulgarian products to the Russian
market, said Loukarski. Bulgarian producers, especially
agricultural producers, are in a state of hiatus which could be
overcome by securing new markets and boosting trade with
reliable partners. He added that a number of producers had had
their exports stopped at the Russian border although contracts
had been signed and payments made.

The Reformist Bloc and the government support the EU sanctions
against Russia, said Loukarski, adding that he saw no grounds
for easing or lifting them. Bulgaria has suffered rather bad
consequences but will not go back on the commitment to support
the Ukrainian people's just demands for the territorial
integrity of the Ukrainian State.

Ambassador Baltazhy thanked Bulgaria for its support, saying
that developments in his country matter for Ukraine's future, as
well as for the defence of the European values and European and
global security. PK/DD



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