The visit of a BSP delegation to China became a reason for political tension and demands for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov.
"There is nothing unusual in having a delegation in China from BSP. At least because BSP is 134 years old. BSP and Chinese Communist Party have established relations for 76 years. Last year we celebrated 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in October 1949. Such a visit at such a high level has not happened since the time of Sergey Stanishev. "That is, this is the first visit of its kind, maybe in 15 years," commented BSP Deputy Chairman Kaloyan Pargov in the studio of "Denyat ON AIR".
Regarding the allegations that the visit was not coordinated with other political figures, he emphasized that the BSP as a party does not need permission when it comes to a party visit.
Pargov added that it is not mandatory for coalition partners to be informed, since it is a personal invitation from the ruling party in China and meetings at the party, not the state, level. However, the visit also had a practical dimension - talks about investments and opportunities for Bulgaria.
"We talked about investments, we talked about Bulgaria's strengths on the Chinese market - like tourism, like rose oil, like yogurt, things that Bulgaria is known for and that it does not have a clear presence in. In Serbia, there are 200,000 Chinese tourists annually, in Bulgaria there are 20,000 on average, and so far this year there are 2,000. Isn't it a bit sad and insulting for you? ", Pargov also told Bulgaria ON AIR. Regarding the composition of the delegation, the deputy chairman of the BSP explained that members of the BSP Executive Bureau participated in it, in order to correspond to the level of the Politburo of the CPC. Each of the participants was determined according to their portfolio - agriculture, economy, communications, regional development and others.
Pargov was categorical that the visit will not lead to upheavals in the ruling coalition.
According to him, the opposition is simply preparing for the new political season and is using the topic for attacks. The more important thing, in his words, is for the government to focus on stabilizing state finances.