PM Denkov urged protesting farmers to return to the negotiating table

The government is ready with the points of the new memorandum it expects to sign with farmers, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told a briefing in the Council of Ministers on February 6. He invited the farmers to talks tomorrow at 6 pm.

Bulgarian farmers protest: Tractors block roads across the country

"We expect them to finalise the agreement. The goal is clear - to help grain farmers who suffered losses in 2023. Every day that passes in protests and blockades, instead of negotiations in preparation for the agreement and the implementation of the points of the new memorandum, delays us from the moment when those who actually need this aid can receive it," he said.

The government is not backing off from its position that only farmers who suffer losses should be assisted, but is proposing a simplified procedure for proving this status.

"Any specific demands that are put forward, we are ready to address them. The only thing we are not prepared to do is to assist profitable companies. The only way to get out of this situation is to figure out how to assist farmers who need help, rather than handing out funds to everyone. This can only be done through negotiations, signing a memorandum of cooperation and everyone being aware of their own responsibility," he said.

Denkov added that the lack of an agreement with farmers also delays the submission of a notification to the EC for approval of the aid.

Agriculture Minister, Kiril Vatev. said he had no problem resigning, but this would not happen under political pressure.

"It is not a problem for me to resign. If the people I depend on decide that I should go, I will go. If they decide that I should stay, I will stay," Vatev said.