Gabriel Valkov on the agreement with Ukraine: An act of political irresponsibility

“A new and dangerous line of neglect of Bulgarian institutions was crossed.”, said the MP from the BSP-United Left Gabriel Valkov from the parliamentary rostrum: “Despite the fact that we have a functioning National Assembly and parliamentary elections will be held in a few days, the caretaker Prime Minister signed a 10-year agreement with Ukraine in the field of security and defense - without a mandate, without public discussion and without transparency. This is an act of political irresponsibility.”.
According to him, such decisions cannot be made by a caretaker government, whose role is to organize fair elections, and not to determine the country's foreign policy for a decade to come. “Bulgaria is forced to make long-term commitments with serious political, financial and strategic consequences.”, warned Valkov.
He also recalled that the signing of this agreement was stopped by the BSP-OL during the negotiations for a regular government: “For a year and a half it was not signed because of us. For a year and a half the reactors of the “Belene” NPP were not sold to Ukraine because of us, with which we protected the Bulgarian national interest.”.
“We also recall that in December 2024, another caretaker prime minister refused to sign such a document without a mandate from the National Assembly. Today this principle has been violated.”, Gabriel Valkov also noted.
According to him, this is an action of dubious constitutionality. “Who gave the caretaker government the right to sign such long-term commitments without a decision of the National Assembly? Why were the parliament and the president of the Republic of Bulgaria not informed?”, he asked.
He also raised the questions of whether there is external pressure on Bulgaria, including on topics such as the “Belene“ nuclear power plant, as well as whether an attempt is being made by Gyurov's cabinet to involve our country in hasty decisions without national consensus, similar to the Zhelyazkov government with the signing of the Peace Board.
“We insist on providing full information on all negotiations with Ukraine, including on the “Belene“ nuclear power plant, as well as to end the practice of caretaker cabinets making strategic decisions without democratic legitimacy. Bulgaria needs a reasonable and balanced foreign policy that protects our national interests.”, was categorical Valkov.
According to him, the National Assembly must speak out against the agreement with Ukraine in order to protect the institutions and parliamentarism. “The BSP structures have already launched a petition with which we ask for the support of Bulgarian citizens for its immediate repeal. Now is the time to show that we defend our country. No to war! Yes to peace!”, concluded Gabriel Valkov.