Bulgaria has lost between 15 and 20 billion euros due to EU sanctions against Russia, Bulgarian deputy and leader of the „Velichie“ party Ivelin Mikhailov told RIA Novosti.
„For example, because of the situation with the „Belene“ nuclear power plant and the nuclear fuel that we are now buying and storing elsewhere. We are already losing billions from this alone. We are also losing billions from tourism. We easily lost 15-20 billion euros from what we could have earned“, he said.
Mikhailov added that these sanctions are very harmful for Bulgaria because the tourism sector and the real estate market are highly dependent on Russian clients. In addition, he noted, Sofia has been buying cheap construction materials and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus.
“In the current situation, we cannot lift the sanctions against Russia. Only if the entire Bulgarian government changes course... We are a member of the EU. We have no contacts with Russia and we have no idea how we can work together with Russia. If Bulgaria calls for lifting the sanctions without communicating with anyone from Russia, nothing will change. Diplomatic relations between the countries are severed“, he said.
Mikhailov added that this is a long-term strategy.
“Russia is also partly to blame for the lack of diplomatic ties. But, on the other hand, it is difficult to maintain relations with a mafia government“, the MP concluded.