site.btaGERB, Continue the Change Leaders Borissov, Petkov Say Parliament Must Approve Sale of Lukoil

Continue the Change (CC) co-leader Kiril Petkov and GERB leader Boyko Borissov said here on Monday that Parliament should first approve the sale of Lukoil in order to shed any doubt and speculations surrounding the potential buyer. The Lukoil Group said last Tuesday that it is reviewing its strategy with respect of its assets in Bulgaria and will analyze various options, including the sale of the business.

Borissov said that the two parliamentary groups will introduce a legislative change that concerns strategic enterprises, not only in oil refining, but also nuclear energy, gas pipelines and storage facilities. In his words, since Bulgaria is quite close to entering Schengen, GERB and Continue the Change have decided to deal with Lukoil in this way so that "it does not trip us up at the last minute".

Let's apply the right "European" approach, the GERB leader said. According to him, this is how good neighbourliness will continue to be in the country's main prerogatives.

Finance Minister Assen Vassilev said on Nova TV on Sunday that if the Lukoil company is sold, there should be a clear strategic investor, a clear owner of the company. He was commenting on the recent information that Lukoil is considering selling its business in Bulgaria. "It is not acceptable for the Bulgarian government that such a strategic asset gets sold to an offshore company," Vassilev added, noting that while he is participating in the process, there will be no fictitious sale.