Prime Minister Kiril Petkov responded to the words of President Rumen Radev, who said earlier today that Bulgaria’s visit to North Macedonia was hasty. According to him, the visit was not only not in a hurry, but “it was terribly late”.
“The truth is that we have lost 30 years in this relationship. Not only was my visit not hasty, it was terribly late. Not me, as Prime Minister, it was too late for the Bulgarian side to have an active position, to have a constructive tone of action, to have clear goals and a precise approach. I’m sorry we missed so many years. “I would not tolerate delaying this visit for a single day,” the prime minister told reporters.
“I believe that if we do not want the Balkans to remain the poorest, the most corrupt in the EU, the approach must be changed on the basis of good neighborliness and economic development,” he added.
He also commented on the latest events in Bulgargaz.
“I am sure we have taken the right steps. It was absurd for Bulgargaz to jump the price of gas by 30%. At the same time, we should give up capacity that comes from Azerbaijan, even though it is at a lower price, and justify ourselves through a Greek connection, which our suppliers later said was not a problem to be bypassed in Mesembria. “When every Bulgarian has to pay 30% more in the middle of the heating season and we are all wondering how to deal with high energy prices, to miss such opportunities either by deliberate mistake or other interests, it is unacceptable.” he said.
Petkov commented on the case of the 44-year-old woman from the village of Pudria, who died after waiting in front of the Emergency Department at the hospital in Vratsa.
“What happened is not normal, it is unacceptable. I express my condolences to the relatives of the deceased woman. I know that all possible inspections have been appointed. Unfortunately, the cost of learning from our mistakes is very expensive, but this is the approach. We must be sure that what has happened must not be repeated, “he said.