The budget committee of the Bulgarian parliament has not approved the ban on export of refined petroleum products from Russian crude oil. The measure was approved by the energy committee. MP Yordan Tsonev of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms said that the task of the law was to stop re-export and to guarantee the collection of VAT and excise duties from the refinery.

The BSP and Vazrazhdane MPs strongly opposed the draft. According to the parties, this would lead to the closure of the Lukoil refinery in Burgas, which would have negative effect on the treasury.

"If Russia stopped the tankers through the Black Sea, then Neftohim would close," MP of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Rumen Gechev, said.