The state has enough financial reserves for unforeseen expenses despite the deepening conflict in the Middle East, Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev has told BNR. He does not expect a shock rise of fuel prices but if it happened, there would be a reaction. "Most probably some kind of compensatory measures for the citizens will have to be introduced so that the price is not an excessive burden for them. However, this is an unlikely scenario at the moment," the minister added.

Speaking about the request of GERB and MRF that Bulgaria should stop importing Russian oil by the end of this year, which differs from the decision adopted in the National Assembly that the derogation for Lukoil should continue until October 2024, Assen Vassilev said that there were no guarantees whether the refinery in Burgas would be able to secure sufficient reliable supplies.

• MRF to support revoking Lukoil’s derogation for processing Russian crude

• Introducing a transit fee on Russian gas for Hungary and Serbia eradicates our hopes of entering Schengen, BSP leader says