Bulgaria lifts restrictions on diesel and jet fuel exports

The Bulgarian parliament has lifted a ban on the export of diesel and aviation fuel, according to the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). The decision was approved by 121 votes. 42 MPs voted against, 23 abstained.

The lifting of the ban will come into force after publication in the State Gazette. The ban has been in effect since October 31 last year. As the BNR recalls, it was introduced to protect domestic fuel supplies after the imposition of US sanctions against the Russian company LUKOIL - the operator of the country's largest refinery Burgas.

The Bulgarian government said that the ban affected the work of Burgas and led to financial losses for fuel operators who were unable to fulfill their obligations under contracts to international partners. The ban also ran counter to the principle of free movement of goods in the EU single market, authorities said.

Burgas refinery produces about 190 thousand barrels per day, and also owns a network of more than 200 filling stations and infrastructure for transportation and storage of fuel in Bulgaria.