The Executive Director of "Bulgartransgaz" Vladimir Malinov stated that he will complete the project for the expansion of the Chiren gas storage facility. "I am motivated by the resistance to its implementation. I do not believe that I should resign and I will not resign," Malinov told journalists.
He gave a press conference at "Bulgartransgaz" regarding the European Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation into public procurement for the expansion of the Chiren gas storage facility.
Malinov indicated that he will continue to provide full cooperation to the European and Bulgarian prosecutors in all cases and proceedings.
"I have appeared at the European Public Prosecutor's Office as a witness. I want to dispel any doubts that I am being summoned by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Last week on Friday I was urgently admitted to hospital. This week on Monday I sent information to the European Public Prosecutor's Office that I was sick. On Wednesday I also provided an official note from the hospital. This morning I also submitted additional documents - a sick leave and an epicrisis, because I was discharged yesterday. I have expressed a firm desire to cooperate with the initiated prosecutorial file," the company's director also said.
It is surprising to me that the European Commission continues to support the project, but also continues the inspection of the Bulgarian delegated prosecutor, he commented.
Malinov announced that all the money provided by the EC is in the company's accounts. They have not been requested back and are at our disposal, he specified.
When conducting the drilling in Chiren, no violations were committed, and even fewer crimes. All actions of "Bulgartransgaz" under the contract and its final termination were taken in due order and according to Bulgarian legislation. The drilling contract was subject to an inspection by ADFI and no violations were found, Malinov also indicated.
According to him, no funds were spent under the contract. It was terminated in October 2024, and all the funds given in advance were refunded and they are currently available in the company. The advance payment was not made with the money of the European Commission. They were paid from a loan received from the Bulgarian Energy Holding, said Malinov.
So far, two of the three components of the storage expansion project have been put into operation. On March 25 of this year, the compressor and measuring station of the storage were also put into operation, which increases its volume from 550 million cubic meters to 650 million cubic meters. There is a public procurement for the continuation of drilling, in which companies from Europe and the USA are participating, and this shows the trust in our company and the project, said Malinov.
He stated that he was not put under any pressure to implement the project by any political force. I have worked with all political forces and I do not know why this attack is on me. I have no information from subcontractors of the contract about putting pressure on them, added the director of "Bulgartransgaz".