Delyan Dobrev
Delyan Dobrev | |
|---|---|
Делян Добрев | |
 | |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 15 April 2021 | |
| Constituency | 29th MMC - Haskovo |
| In office 21 May 2013 – 10 April 2019 | |
| Constituency | 14th MMC - Pernik(2013-2014)
29th MMC - Haskovo(2014-2019) |
| In office 14 July 2009 – 19 May 2011 | |
| Constituency | 29th MMC - Haskovo |
| Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism | |
| In office 21 March 2012 – 13 March 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Boyko Borisov |
| Preceded by | Traycho Traykov |
| Succeeded by | Asen Vasilev |
| Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism | |
| In office 19 May 2011 – 21 March 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Boyko Borisov |
| Minister | Traycho Traykov |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 May 1978 Haskovo,Bulgaria |
| Political party | GERB |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University(BEc) University of National and World Economy(MEc) |
| Occupation | |
Delyan Dobrev(born 1978 inHaskovo) is a Bulgarian politician and member of theNational Assembly (Bulgaria).He was the DeputyBulgarian Minister of Economy and EnergyunderTraycho Traykov,succeeding him as Minister in March 2012 following an energy crisis in the country which included the termination of theBelene Nuclear Power Plantproject.[1][2]
Dobrev is in his ninth term as an MP fromCitizens for European Development of Bulgaria,representingHaskovoregion.[3]He has consistently promoted legislation forenergy independence.As of July 2023, he is the Chairman of the Committee on Energy in the National Assembly.[4]Dobrev is also a member of the Executive Committee of theGERBparty.[5]
In November 2023, Dobrev held a lecture at theAtlantic CouncilinWashington DC,where he outlined the various ways in which Russian influence has permeated politics inEastern Europe.[6]Getting rid of such influences means cutting off Russian suppliers in the energy and military equipment sectors.[7]
Education
[edit]Dobrev graduated in economics in 2002 fromWesleyan University,Middletown, Connecticut in the United States. He then specialised [sic] in accounting and finance at theLondon School of Economicsin 2005-2006.[8]
Ban on Russian nuclear technology
[edit]Dobrev is a vocal opponent of the use of Russian nuclear technology inBulgariaand while in government in 2012, along with Minister of FinanceSimeon Dyankov,adopted a ban on such technology, including the termination of theBelene Nuclear Power Plant.[9]Prime MinisterBoyko Borisovlisted this ban among the main successes of his first government.[10]In July 2023, Dobrev initiated a sale of the unused Russian nuclear equipment to Ukraine, through a resolution in parliament.[11]
“After the start of the war in Ukraine, building a power plant with that equipment became [politically] impossible in Bulgaria. Ukraine needs the equipment that we have. It is a perfect match.”
Ban on import of Russian oil
[edit]At Dobrev's initiative, in July 2023 and again in November 2023 theNational Assembly (Bulgaria)started a process of imposing a ban on Russian oil imports to theLukoilrefinery nearBurgas.[12]Taking advantage of an exemption to the EU’s Russian oil ban, Bulgaria allowed millions of barrels of Russian oil to reach the Russian-owned refinery, which then exported various refined fuels abroad including to EU countries, according to an investigation by the NGOGlobal Witness,the think tanksCenter for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria)andCentre for Research on Energy and Clean Airand independent reporting byPolitico.[13]
"At the very least they should tighten the sanctions and tighten the derogation regime. But the most optimal thing to do is just to get rid of this derogation," said Delyan Dobrev.
Off-shore exploration
[edit]France’sTotalEnergiesenergy company was granted an oil and gas exploration licence in 2012 to prospect for fossil fuels in Bulgaria’s economic area of theBlack Sea.TotalEnergieswon the tender in competition withExxonMobilandUnited Kingdom’sMelrose Resources,which had - as of 2012 - three exploration licences for areas of Bulgaria’sBlack Seashelf.[15]
"Gas extracted locally costs about 40 per cent lower than imports. This is our hope for diversification [of energy sources],” Dobrev said.
In 2023, theNational Assembly (Bulgaria)decided to negotiate the option for the state to take a 20% stake in the consortium for the offshore drilling following the departure of one of the original partners.[16]
References
[edit]- ^"Bulgarian Premier Names Dobrev as Economy, Energy Minister".Businessweek. 16 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 3 December 2013.Retrieved11 September2012.
- ^"Bulgaria's blame game over energy policy, Qatar forum fiasco".Sofia Echo. 19 March 2012.Retrieved11 September2012.
- ^Dobrev comments current issues around NPP Kozloduy
- ^Dobrev's page on the parliament website
- ^"Members of the GERB Executive Committee".GERB.23 July 2022.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^"Center hosts Delyan Dobrev for roundtable on energy security and policies in Eastern Europe".Atlantic Council.17 November 2023.Retrieved21 November2023.
- ^"Two ways towards energy security and clean politics in Eastern Europe".Twitter.17 November 2023.Retrieved21 November2023.
- ^Delyan Dobrev as New Economy Energy and Tourism MinisterArchived2012-11-10 at theWayback Machine,The Sofia Echo, by The Echo staff. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ^"Дянков: Проектът" Белене "трябваше да бъде прекратен по-рано"(in Bulgarian). Investor.bg. 1 October 2016.Retrieved5 July2023.
- ^"Борисов пак омъгли съдбата на АЕЦ" Белене ""(in Bulgarian). Mediapool. 16 March 2012.Retrieved5 July2023.
- ^"Ukraine Nears Nuclear Deal With Bulgaria in Fresh Blow for Russian Influence".Wall Street Journal. 6 July 2023.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^"Партиите, подкрепящи кабинета и ДПС внесоха общо предложение за прекратяване на дерогацията"(in Bulgarian). Dnevnik.bg. 28 July 2023.Retrieved29 July2023.
- ^"Putin rakes in extra €1B for his war chest via Bulgaria sanctions loophole".Politico. 9 November 2023.Retrieved11 November2023.
- ^"Putin rakes in extra €1B for his war chest via Bulgaria sanctions loophole".Politico. 9 November 2023.Retrieved11 November2023.
- ^"France's Total granted oil, gas exploration licence in Bulgaria".3 E News. 12 July 2012.Retrieved30 July2023.
- ^"The Energy Commission tasked Minister Radev with negotiating the option for BEH to take a 20% stake in the consortium for the" Khan Asparuh "Block".3 E News. 20 July 2023.Retrieved30 July2023.