Fuel prices are rising depending on the situation in the Middle East and stock exchange prices. It is not at all ruled out that they will continue to rise. If we talk about retail prices, which affect all Bulgarian consumers, we are managing to limit the increase in prices through conversations, invitations and analyses. If the fighting does not stop, there is no prospect of a decrease in prices. In this situation, the government is moving to the next stage of its actions, and this is the care of the most vulnerable. This was commented on in the studio of “In Focus with Lora Krumova“ on Nova TV, the Minister of Energy in the official cabinet, Traycho Traykov.
He pointed out that the conditions that Bulgarian citizens must meet in order to receive compensation for the increase in fuel prices have not yet been fixed. According to him, the conditions are related to the poverty line and the presence of a car in the household. The acting Minister of Energy also said that the most effective way is direct assistance that will be credited to the accounts of Bulgarian citizens from vulnerable groups.
He pointed out that the amount of assistance is 20 euros per month. "In my opinion and according to the understanding of most participants in the decision-making process, this will be triggered if the situation continues to be bad or deteriorates sharply", said Traykov.
"I am in contact with the chairman of the CPC, we exchange information. They conduct inspections. The point is that when the CPC inspections are carried out, there are two peculiarities. One is that sometimes the inspections take a long time. The other is that they do not necessarily aim to lower prices," he said. Traykov also commented that the fuels that come out of “Lukoil Neftochim“ are among the cheapest in Europe.
He also warned of the possible loss of 437 million euros under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan. “The argument that a quorum cannot be gathered is complete absurdity. I inherited these proposals for legal changes as already submitted by my predecessor in the National Assembly, but I saw that the deadlines are pressing us for the fourth payment. The proposal was submitted on February 12, I come on the 19th and I immediately see that the deadline for this is the end of March. First, I told myself that they would probably call us in at any moment to discuss the changes. When this did not happen, I sent a letter to Mrs. Mitova. When we didn't receive any response, I went to the chairman's council in the National Assembly. From there, they told me to talk to the chairman of the committee. I went to their room, opening the door they were just leaving and they told me: “If it's about ZEVI, forget it“, specified Traykov.
“The chairman of the committee, probably because of the public reaction, decided to convene it, but with such reluctance. Over the next two days, after my reaction, there were three attempts to convene committees. So apparently there is time, but there is no desire“, he added.