site.btaKarlovo Council Has Not Debated Rheinmetall Factory Project, Velichie MP

The contract with Germany’s Rheinmetall and the project to build a gunpowder factory in Karlovo (Central Bulgaria) have not been discussed by the Municipal Council, whose meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning, Velichie MP Maria Ilieva said at a briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

She said the agreement had been signed “without any participation of the local community in Karlovo to determine whether they want such a gunpowder plant.” Ilieva pointed out that the project affects the Central Balkan protected area under the Natura 2000 network. She added that 11 municipal councillors have signed a request to postpone the discussion of the matter by one month, alleging that the Council Chair was pressuring them to withdraw their signatures.

Ilieva questioned whether the entire country should be expected to approve commercial deals with foreign investors initiated by GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Bulgarian government and Germany’s Rheinmetall officially announced the launch of a project to build a gunpowder and munitions factory. At a ceremony at the Council of Ministers, the agreement was signed by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and the company’s Weapons and Ammunition Department Head Roman Kohne. On the Bulgarian side, the contract was signed by VMZ Executive Director Ivan Getsov.

Also on Tuesday, GERB leader Borissov welcomed Rheinmetall executives upon their arrival at Sofia Airport and thanked them for their cooperation. He later attended the signing ceremony.