Bulgarian Ministry of Innovation supports Lukoil-Neftochim with European money

Bulgaria supports Lukoil-Neftochim with European money in the transition to a circular economy. This is clear from a document approved by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, headed by Milena Stoycheva.
The project is under the program "Support for the transition to a circular economy in enterprises", which includes 859 proposals, BGNES specifies.
Of these, a total of 375 applicants, developing their main economic activity in the "Processing industry" sector, were proposed for financing.
For the implementation of the proposals approved for financing, the General Directorate of European Competitiveness Funds is expected to provide funds of over BGN 170 million.
It turns out that one of the big companies that will receive funds under this mechanism is the Russian owner of the Burgas refinery. This is happening at a time when the Russian military invasion of Ukraine is gaining momentum.
"Lukoil-Neftochim" is ranked 40th in the list of 50 large companies that apply. The company must receive BGN 1 million in funding for a project that is worth just over BGN 5 million.
In the last year, "Lukoil-Neftochim" has been the subject of serious criticism because of the import and processing of Russian oil grade "Urals". Bulgarian politicians with a Euro-Atlantic orientation strongly oppose the import of Russian oil, because they believe that the money received from it enables the Kremlin to finance its military campaign against Ukraine. There were even accusations against the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Asen Vasilev that he was supporting Lukoil-Neftochim. /BGNES