site.btaUPDATED Parliament Rejects Motion to Freeze Negotiations with Ukraine on Sale of Belene N-Plant Equipment

The National Assembly on Wednesday voted 66-110 with 14 abstentions to reject a draft resolution moved by BSP for Bulgaria on suspension of negotiations with Ukraine on the sale of equipment intended for the Belene N-plant project. 

The motion proposed the cancellation of negotiations tasked to the Energy Minister by a National Assembly resolution of July 6 2023.

Another motion, to suspend negotiations on the sale of the equipment until a new resolution of the National Assembly, based on an assessment of the possibility to use the equipment for the needs and purposes of the Kozloduy N-plant, was also rejected.

The Debate

Dragomir Stoynev (BSP for Bulgaria): The equipment for Belene NPP should be used for the sixth unit of Kozloduy NPP. Whether this is possible or not should be judged by a committee of international experts who should say whether the steam generators are compatible. The sale of this equipment to Ukraine can and must be stopped, and the national interest protected.

Ivelin Parvanov (Vazrazhdane): The only right thing to do is to cancel the National Assembly's decision to sell the equipment.