Bulgaria Puts on Hold Talks on Belene NPP Project Until Referendum
Bulgaria decided to put on hold talks with potential investors on the construction of the nuclear power plant (NPP) Belene until a referendum is held on the future of the project, economy minister Delyan Dobrev said.
The ruling centre-right party GERB will withdraw its request submitted with parliament to mandate the government for talks with potential investors, GERB deputy floor leader Dimitar Glavchev told journalists at a news conference on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, president Rosen Plevneliev said that negotiations with investors should be held only after the referendum. Speaking before journalists in the afternoon, prime minister Boiko Borisov reiterated his position, urging for a referendum to be held as soon as possible.
On Friday, the regional development ministry said it had completed a check of the 717,021 signatures collected by the Socialist party in support of staging a referendum on the construction of Belene NPP, as the valid signatures numbered 543,639, which is over the required minimum.