"It is in Germany's interest Bulgaria to have a regular government and for the country to have a strong position in the EU. The economic relations between Sofia and Berlin are extremely important, as last year the bilateral trade between the two countries reached 12 billion euros."
This is what German Ambassador to Sofia Irene Maria Planck said in an interview for BGNES.
Planck described the economic relations between the two countries as very important. The diplomat said that a German company is the biggest commercial taxpayer in Bulgaria.
"Economic relations are extremely important. Last year the bilateral economic exchange between the two countries reached a volume of 12 billion euros and I hope that this year we will have an increase. Bulgaria and Germany have a very large chamber of commerce in Sofia and about 600 German businesses participate in this chamber. I am proud of the fact that a German business is the largest commercial taxpayer in Bulgaria, we are talking about 8% of the Bulgarian budget, and that is the Pirdop-based Arubis. The economic relations are very important, they date back a long time and I think they are a very solid link between the two countries," the ambassador said.
Regarding the 35% tariffs the EU imposed on electric cars imported from China, Planck said Chinese electric cars were putting pressure on European manufacturers.
"You know that the EU has imposed a duty of 35% on Chinese cars imported into the EU. It is difficult to assess how this will affect the market. I think this (imports from China) puts pressure on European carmakers, whose production should be at a more affordable price, because the cars of the big competitor China are significantly cheaper," the German diplomat said.
"I understand the reasons for this decision because Chinese products are heavily subsidised by the state. You could say that imports are changing the balance of European markets. You also know that Germany was not in favour of this decision, but in the end the majority in the EU takes the decisions and they are valid for our country as well," Planck said, adding that she could not predict how the new duties would affect European markets.
She also commented on the growth of support for the far right in Germany and said this is not a national phenomenon but a global trend.
"We can see this process not only in Bulgaria and Germany, but also in many European countries and also in countries outside Europe. It seems that this is not a national phenomenon, but a global trend. There are many different reasons for this, but I think this trend indicates a big problem. Working in institutions such as the EU, the UN and the OECD requires good cooperation between countries. A favourite narrative of far-right parties is: 'We want more national sovereignty and less EU'. I think they are misleading people and not saying what it would cost them. If we take, for example, a country like Bulgaria, and also Germany, if they were to leave the EU, it would be an economic disaster. In the UK, the situation has not improved since they left the EU," the ambassador stressed.
Asked to comment on the political situation in Bulgaria, Planck said that against the backdrop of the 7th early elections, one could definitely talk about a problem. However, she expressed hope that the newly formed parliament will be able to elect a government based on a stable parliamentary majority.
"The situation is difficult. It is clear that with 7 elections, within 3 years, it is a problem. I think and hope that the political parties in Bulgaria will form a stable government. Call it a coalition, call it an assembly, call it a non-coalition, the important thing is to draw up a governing programme that is based on a stable parliamentary majority. The country needs a stable government and parliament because various laws need to be passed and various problems need to be solved in the areas of health, education and science. I hope that this time this will happen and Bulgaria will have a stable government. Even from a purely selfish point of view, Germany wants Bulgaria to be a strong voice in the EU, we are friends and we need a friendly Bulgaria to be on the stage again," the diplomat added. | BGNES
