The leading Ukrainian manufacturer of sprinkler equipment Variant Irrigation (Kharkiv) signed a contract with a large agricultural holding in Bulgaria for the supply of six sprinkler machines with a length of 350 to 600 meters, the company’s website reported on Thursday.
The project, the cost of which was not disclosed, in addition to the supply of irrigation equipment, provides for the creation of infrastructure – the laying of main pipelines for the customer.
“Despite the difficult situation in Ukraine caused by Russia’s military aggression, domestic producers continue to work, look for new markets, and reformat their processes. The management of Variant Irrigation decided to save production equipment as much as possible, retain personnel, stay in Ukraine, and gradually establish production processes in safe regions,” the report says.
As reported, from June, new relocated production of Variant Irrigation in the west of Ukraine will start operating in the regular mode.
Variant Irrigation is the Ukrainian irrigation market leader in terms of the number of supplied wide-sprinkler sprinklers.
Bulgaria will be pleased to participate in the restoration of Ukraine, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said.
“As for your proposal to Bulgaria to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, we will be more than happy to do so. We have many cities with many Bulgarian-speaking Ukrainians, and Bulgaria will be pleased to take a constructive part,” Petkov said at a press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday.
The head of government said Bulgaria can also help Ukraine with the help of the trans-Balkan gas pipeline.
“When we talk about energy security, Bulgaria can help Ukraine through the use of the trans-Balkan gas pipeline, through which we can supply gas from LNG terminals in Greece and Turkey to Ukraine, which will give both our countries a lower price and the possibility of deliveries,” he said.
In addition, Petkov said Bulgaria supports Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
“It is very important for Bulgaria that Ukraine sees a clear path to the EU. It is time for us to say that Ukraine belongs, is part of the European family, and we must give a clear sign and a clear path as soon as possible. You have a strong voice for Bulgaria when we meet with many European colleagues,” he said.
As part of EU sanctions, the Bulgarian authorities imposed a ban on entry into their ports for ships from Russia, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Sunday.
“All ships flying the Russian flag, as well as ships that changed the Russian flag or registration to any other state after February 24, are denied access to the sea and river ports of Bulgaria,” AP quotes excerpts from a statement by the Bulgarian Maritime Administration.
AP specifies that the Bulgarian authorities will make an exception for ships in distress or in need of humanitarian assistance, as well as ships carrying energy, food and medicine to the EU.
On the eve it became known about a similar order of the Italian authorities. At the same time, Russian cargo ships, which are currently in Italy, were ordered by the authorities to go to sea as soon as they complete their current operations.
Earlier in April, the EU introduced another package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, ordering, in particular, to close ports for ships from Russia. At the same time, exceptions are provided for the transportation of a number of goods, for example, energy carriers, agricultural products.
The United States welcomes the position of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on the Ukrainian Crimea, the Department of State said.”We welcome the statement by President Radev, in which he reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine. The United States, the G7, the European Union and NATO were clear and united in our position that, despite Russia’s attempt to annex Crimea, this is Ukraine,” the Department of State said.Earlier, the European Truth publication said the press service of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev clarified the position of the head of state regarding the occupied Crimea due to his statement during the televised debates in the framework of the election campaign.
Ukraine and Bulgaria have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of road transportation.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, following a meeting of the mixed commission on international road transportation of goods and passengers, the parties agreed that in 2021 Ukrainian carriers will additionally receive 3,000 universal permits, of which 600 will be available at the points of issuance of permits starting next week. For 2022, the quota of permits has been increased by almost 25%, from 20,300 to 25,500. In addition, the universal permit form can be used for bilateral, transit and combined modes of transportation.
“The increase in the number of transport permits with Bulgaria is a good indicator of the development of our trade relations with the EU. We expect similar decisions from our other European partners. When we signed an Association Agreement with the EU in 2015, one of the key foundations for strengthening economic cooperation was that the dynamics of trade should not deteriorate. On the basis of this principle, the further policy of the Ministry of Infrastructure on international transportation will be formed,” Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Mustafa Nayyem is quoted as saying.
Ukraine has successfully evacuated from the Gaza Strip 109 citizens of Ukraine, 13 citizens of Moldova and four citizens of Bulgaria, they are in Cairo and will soon fly to Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
“The Gaza Strip. We have successfully evacuated 109 citizens of Ukraine, 13 citizens of Moldova and four citizens of Bulgaria. They are already safe in Cairo and will soon fly to Kyiv. Ukraine and Egypt have made great efforts to ensure the security corridor. The operation was postponed twice, but we made it,” Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
He said that Ukraine was one of the first to successfully complete an international humanitarian mission to evacuate citizens of the three countries from Gaza.
“We never abandon our citizens and help our partners. I am grateful to Egypt and the entire Ukrainian diplomatic team for successful cooperation,” the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
