site.btaFinance Minister Vassilev: If Lukoil Is Sold, There Should Be Clear Strategic Investor

If the Lukoil company is sold, there should be a clear strategic investor, a clear owner of the company, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev said on Nova TV Sunday. 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. 

Vassilev said that this year, Lukoil paid around BGN 400 million in taxes.

Commenting on the agreement between Bulgaria's Bulgargaz and Turkiye's Botas energy company signed during the caretaker government in January 2023, Vassilev described it as unfavourable for Bulgaria.