site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Addresses EU Funding Concerns Raised by Renew Europe over Varna Mayor Imprisonment

Speaking at a news briefing in New York on Wednesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov commented on a letter from the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament to the European Commission, which links the legal case against detained Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev to the assessment process for funding under Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. He is visiting the United States to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Whenever a major political group raises an issue with the European Commission, we must give it the necessary attention,” Zhelyazkov said. “We will review their arguments, but the government has never interfered in the work of Bulgaria’s independent judiciary,” the Prime Minister added.

Earlier in the day, Continue the Change chair Assen Vassilev commented on the ruling Sofia Court of Appeal made on Tuesday to keep Kotsev in custody. Kotsev is facing charges related to corruption and participation in an organized crime group. “Last night, we witnessed yet another disgraceful act by the Bulgarian judicial system,” Vassilev said, adding that the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe had called for a suspension of EU funds to Bulgaria late Tuesday evening.

Before addressing the Kotsev case, Zhelyazkov also spoke of his meeting with Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev.

The news briefing was also attended by Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, who discussed the issue of Russian natural gas supplies to Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian government has taken a clear position that short-term gas supply contracts with Russia should be terminated in 2026, Stankov said. Long-term contracts are scheduled to end in 2028, he added. 

Stankov noted that this opens up the opportunity for Bulgaria to become a transit hub for natural gas from US terminals. Deliveries are scheduled for October and November, the Minister added.

He noted that an agreement was signed last week with the United States to support the development of small modular reactor sites in Bulgaria.

This is a cutting-edge technology that can attract major investment in sectors such as data infrastructure and artificial intelligence, he said. “Naturally, the next step for Bulgaria will be to begin talks with companies interested in developing these technologies,” he added.