Zafirov on the Peace Plan for Ukraine: I am a pessimist, but hope remains

I hope it works. Everything depends on the development of the military actions at the moment. With these words, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov answered a question from journalists in Burgas regarding the peace plan for Ukraine, proposed by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. 

"I am pessimistic that Ukraine will accept exactly these types of conditions at this stage. Nevertheless, the hope remains that the issue will be resolved quickly and fairly," Zafirov said before the opening of the discussion "Bulgaria - an active partner in the European strategy for a secure and sustainable Black Sea", which brings together a number of experts and representatives of state institutions in the International Congress Center in Burgas. 

In the context of the forum, Zafirov also commented that without security, we cannot have sustainable development in the Black Sea region. He expressed the opinion that our country can have a leading role in the discussions on security, as it traditionally maintains excellent relations with all Black Sea countries. 

Asked by journalists to comment on the discussions around the state budget and the protests of employees in state institutions for higher remuneration, Zafirov said: "I do not see social tension. I see tension in one part of society - the employers, with whom we have had very good relations. I think they exaggerated things a bit at the moment."

The Deputy Prime Minister defined the draft budget, which was adopted on its first reading today, as social. "It is aimed at the needs of the people," Zafirov added.