The State Agency for National Security (SANS) is carrying out an inspection of the Russian oil giant "Lukoil" refinery in Burgas, as well as the offices of "Lukoil-Bulgaria", BNT reports, Vesti.bg reports.
The security of the refinery and the company's other key bases in the country has been tightened. According to sources on national television, the inspection began at the end of last week.
SANS and the Ministry of Economy declined to comment. On Friday, the National Assembly adopted legislative amendments that expand the powers of the special manager who can be appointed to the company, but they are not yet in force, as they have not been published in the State Gazette.
The bill was submitted by MPs from "DPS-New Beginning", GERB-SDF, "There is Such a People" and "BSP - United Left" after it became clear that the international company Gunvor had withdrawn its offer to acquire "Lukoil"'s international assets. In the plenary hall, 130 MPs voted "for", including four independents, 71 were "against", and two abstained.
The explanatory memorandum to the bill states that the sanctions against "Lukoil" JSCs imposed by the US and UK are threatening the operation of the "Neftochim" refinery in Burgas, as contractors refuse payments to affiliated companies in Bulgaria. According to importers, this could block the production and supply of fuels in the country and put thousands of jobs at risk.