Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Parliament votes to lift ban on grain imports from Ukraine

Photo: Reuters

Bulgarian Parliament has voted to lift the ban on grain imports from Ukraine after 15 September. The decision was taken with 124 votes in favour by the MPs from the majority and the MRF party. 

There were 69 votes against and 8 abstentions. The BSP, Vazrazhdane and There is Such a People parties voted against, accusing the importers of hiding behind the parliament's decisions.

Iskren Mitev from We Continue the Change said the ban on imports wasn't working anyway. "Ukrainian grain is all over Europe, what we need to do is provide a transit corridor," the MP said. 

Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev explained that the macroeconomic indicators show that Bulgaria has no concerns about the lifting of the ban on Ukrainian grain, as the government is able to support Bulgarian farmers and will strengthen the control over herbicides, pesticides and heavy metals in imports from Ukraine. Grain growers have announced that they will organise protests against the decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his gratitude to Bulgaria for waving the restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports after September 15 this year. "Bulgaria sets an example of true solidarity," he tweeted, mentioning Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and his team, as well as Bulgarian lawmakers.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Filiz Hyusmenova

Filiz Hyusmenova: The accusations of threats made on the basis of ethnicity are ridiculous

“The Movement for Rights and Freedoms' resistance forces are not against ethnic qualities and characteristics, but against the way decisions are made, against management, separation and confrontation.” This is what MP Filiz Hyusmenova, who was the..

published on 7/13/24 4:23 PM
Nikolay Denkov

Nikolay Denkov: Any attempts to form a stable government would be a complete illusion

“This parliament is like quicksand – war in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, a split Bulgarian Socialist Party, Velichine falling apart,” said former PM Nikolay Denkov, chair of the parliamentary group of We Continue the Change/Democratic..

published on 7/13/24 2:11 PM

Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov: There are no towns or villages at risk from the fires

“No towns or villages are at risk from the fires that have broken out around the country,” Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, Director of the General Directorate Fire Safety and Civil Protection said for the BNR. Partial state of..

published on 7/13/24 11:59 AM