The agreement between Bulgaria and Russia for the EUR 6.3 B price of the future Nuclear Power Plant in the Danube town of Belene can be seen as great success.
The statement was made by Bulgaria's Finance Minister, Simeon Dyankov, in an interview for the TV channel Nova Televizia.
Dyankov pointed out the price is not final, adding it could have been as high as EUR 9.4 B when taking into account the inflation.
"The price of EUR 6.3 B is high and we will negotiate to lower it, but to fix it at this amount right now is still great success," the Finance Minister said.
According to Dyankov, the signing of the memorandum with the Russian Rosatom is only establishing the frame for the future negotiations on Belene, and the real analysis and talks are forthcoming.
The Minister also commented on accusations coming from the left-wing the agreed price is national treason, saying the opposition must criticize, but in this situation the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) simply appears ridiculous.
Dyankov explained there are four plans for Belene - to finance it through a loan granted to Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK), to use Russian financing, to find European or Chinese investors and to not build it at all. He confirmed China's strong interest in the NPP.
In case the plant never becomes reality, the State must make energy consumption more effective by using alternates - water or bio energy or build a new unit at Bulgaria's NPP Kozloduy, according to the Minister.