Bulgarian Parliament supports lift of Ukrainian grain import ban
Photo: The Parliament of Bulgaria supported the committee's proposal to lift the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
The Parliament of Bulgaria has supported the lifting of the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products. The decision was made after two hours of debate, informs BNT News.
During the session of the Bulgarian Parliament, Minister of Agriculture Kiril Vatev spoke. He confirmed that the proposal to lift the ban was not discussed with him beforehand. However, after assessing the risks, he acknowledged that allowing the import of Ukrainian products would not harm the economy.
At the same time, the Bulgarian Minister emphasized that the control over the import of Ukrainian products would be strengthened because they do not meet EU standards.
In Parliament, it was also noted that today's decision does not have legal force yet, as the ban was imposed at the EU level. Therefore, a decision from Brussels is now awaited.
The Bulgarian opposition has already called the Parliament's decision a betrayal.
"This is a pure sample of national betrayal, not because we are not for the free market, but because we cannot put our grain producers in a situation where they will not be competitive," said Deyan Nikolov of the "Vazrazhdane" party.
Reaction from Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision of the Bulgarian Parliament. He thanked Prime Minister Nikola Denkov and Bulgarian parliamentarians.
"Bulgaria demonstrates an example of true solidarity," the head of state noted.
Background
The European Union allowed five countries to impose a ban on the sale of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds on the domestic market while permitting transit. The term of this ban ends on September 15.
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary are calling on the EU to extend the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain.
However, Bulgaria has taken an unexpected step. Yesterday, the Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation of the Bulgarian Parliament approved a proposal that the country does not want to continue the ban on the import of Ukrainian goods.
