„In the interest of Germany is for Bulgaria to have a regular government and for the country to have strong positions in the EU. The economic relations between Sofia and Berlin are extremely important, as last year the bilateral trade between the two countries reached 12 billion euros“.
This was stated by the German ambassador in Sofia Irene Maria Plank to BGNES.
Planck defined the economic relations between the two countries as very important. The diplomat said that a German company is the largest commercial taxpayer in Bulgaria.
„Economic relations are extremely important. Last year, the bilateral economic exchange between the two countries reached a volume of 12 billion euros, and I hope that this year we will have an increase. Bulgaria and Germany have a very large chamber of commerce in Sofia and about 600 German businesses participate in this chamber. I am proud of the fact that a German business is the largest commercial taxpayer in Bulgaria, it is about 8% of the Bulgarian budget, and it is the Pirdop-based “Arubis”. Economic relations are very important, they date back a long time, and I think they are a very solid connection between the two countries," the ambassador said.
Regarding the EU's 35 percent tariff on electric cars imported from China, Planck said Chinese electric cars are putting pressure on European manufacturers.
„You know that the EU has imposed a 35% tariff on Chinese cars that are imported into the EU. It is difficult to judge how this will affect the market. I think this (imports from China) puts pressure on European car manufacturers, whose production should be more affordable because the cars of the big competitor China are significantly cheaper,” said the German diplomat.
„I understand the reasons for this decision, because Chinese products are heavily subsidized by the state. It can be said that imports change the balance of European markets. You also know that Germany was not “for“ this decision, but in the end the majority in the EU makes the decisions and they are also valid for our country”, said Plank and added that he cannot predict how the new tariffs will affect the European markets.
She also commented on the growth of support for the extreme right in Germany and stated that this is not a national phenomenon, but a global trend.
„We can see this process not only in Bulgaria and Germany, but in many European countries and also in countries outside Europe. It seems that this is not a national phenomenon, but a global trend. There are many different reasons for this, but I think this trend indicates a big problem. Working in institutions such as the EU, UN, OECD requires good cooperation between countries. A favorite narrative of far-right parties is: “We want more national sovereignty and less EU”. I think they are misleading people and not saying what it would cost them. If we take for example a country like Bulgaria, and also Germany, if they leave the EU, it will be an economic disaster. In the United Kingdom, the situation has not improved since they left the EU”, emphasized the ambassador.
When asked to comment on the political situation in Bulgaria, Plank stated that against the background of the 7th early elections, one can definitely talk about a problem. However, she expressed hope that the newly formed parliament will be able to issue a government based on a stable parliamentary majority.
„The situation is difficult. Clearly, 7 picks in 3 years is a problem. I think and hope that the political parties in Bulgaria will form a stable government. Call it a coalition, call it a “assembly”, call it a “non-coalition”, the important thing is to draw up a governing program that is based on a stable parliamentary majority. The country needs a stable government and parliament because various laws need to be passed and various problems to be solved in the fields of health care, education and science. I hope that this time it will happen and Bulgaria will have a stable government. Even from a purely selfish point of view, Germany wants Bulgaria to be a strong voice in the EU, we are friends and we need a friendly Bulgaria to be on the scene again, added the diplomat. | BGNES