site.btaUPDATED Regional Development Ministry Reacts to "Attempts of Political Leaders, Parties to Use Institution's Agencies for Manipulation"

In a position issued Saturday, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works stated that it firmly opposes attempts by political leaders and parties to use the institution and its agencies for manipulation for political dividends. "We work for the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria, not for the political interests of parties and their leaders. We will not allow anyone, including [Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria Co-Chairman] Kiril Petkov, to interfere in the work of the Ministry and prevent the implementation of infrastructure projects that are essential for the development of the country," the position reads.

"We do not accept the interference and lies of political figures and will fight with all means against these attempts. Let us be clear - the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is not a playground for political manipulation and we will not allow anyone to use the institution in this way," the position reads further. 

In relation to a meeting of Petkov at the Road Infrastructure Agency on Friday, the Ministry said that Petkov and his corresponding agencies have never been involved in the work of the Ministry. "Petkov is also not involved in the development of infrastructure projects or other activities of the Ministry, including the construction or repair of roads. Nor has his 'expert' opinion ever been sought on the issue of reversing traffic on the Sofia-Pernik road, or on other topics," the Ministry added.

On Friday, Petkov said in a Facebook post that he had held a working meeting with Eng. Yordan Valchev, Chairman of the Road Infrastructure Agency's  (RIA) Management Board, on the progress of the construction of an automated reversal of traffic on the Sofia - Vladaya - Pernik road. If all goes according to plan, Pernik and Sofia residents will see the construction in 2025, and the system will be operational in early 2026, facilitating all commuters, Petkov wrote. 

Later, in another post, Petkov wrote: "[GERB leader Boyko] Borissov was ringing up late at night the ministries of the caretaker government, which he supposedly had nothing to do with. The result of the scare of Boyko and his ministers can be found in the fake sites tonight. Unlike you, Boyko, I was at the RIA today [Friday] because I care about the people of Pernik, and you were out fishing."

On Saturday, RIA Chair Yordan Valchev issued a position on his meeting with Petkov on August 16, objecting to of politicians to suggest that the work of RIA is guided by their pre-election schedule. Valchev said that behind every road project is the work of many highly qualified experts and that Petkov, is not among them.

Valchev explained that the meeting in question was at Pretkov's insistence, and there he received information about certain projects, to the implementation of which he had no contribution.