Delyan Dobrev

Education

Dobrev graduated in economics in 2002 from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut in the United States. He then specialised [sic] in accounting and finance at the London School of Economics in 2005-2006.

Ban on Russian nuclear technology

Dobrev is a vocal opponent of the use of Russian nuclear technology in Bulgaria and while in government in 2012, along with Minister of Finance Simeon Dyankov, adopted a ban on such technology, including the termination of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov listed this ban among the main successes of his first government. In July 2023, Dobrev initiated a sale of the unused Russian nuclear equipment to Ukraine, through a resolution in parliament.“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

At Dobrev's initiative, in July 2023 and again in November 2023 the National Assembly (Bulgaria) started a process of imposing a ban on Russian oil imports to the Lukoil refinery near Burgas. 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 NGO Global Witness, the think tanks Center for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria) and Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and independent reporting by Politico. "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

France’s TotalEnergies energy company was granted an oil and gas exploration licence in 2012 to prospect for fossil fuels in Bulgaria’s economic area of the Black Sea. TotalEnergies won the tender in competition with ExxonMobil and United Kingdom’s Melrose Resources, which had - as of 2012 - three exploration licences for areas of Bulgaria’s Black Sea shelf. "Gas extracted locally costs about 40 per cent lower than imports. This is our hope for diversification [of energy sources],” Dobrev said.

In 2023, the National 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.

References

References

1. (16 March 2012). "Bulgarian Premier Names Dobrev as Economy, Energy Minister". Businessweek.com.
2. (19 March 2012). "Bulgaria's blame game over energy policy, Qatar forum fiasco". Sofia Echo.
3. [http://www.focus-news.net/news/2013/11/25/1852401/delyan-dobrev-ne-chuhme-argumenti-zashto-se-otkazvame-ot-ideyata-da-stroim-hibriden-blok-vmesto-nov-blok-na-aets-kozloduy.html Dobrev comments current issues around NPP Kozloduy]
4. [https://www.parliament.bg/en/MP/4109 Dobrev's page on the parliament website]
5. (23 July 2022). "Members of the GERB Executive Committee". [[GERB]].
6. (17 November 2023). "Center hosts Delyan Dobrev for roundtable on energy security and policies in Eastern Europe". [[Atlantic Council]].
7. (17 November 2023). "Two ways towards energy security and clean politics in Eastern Europe". [[Twitter]].
8. [http://www.sofiaecho.com/2012/03/16/1788865_borissov-names-delyan-dobrev-as-new-economy-energy-and-tourism-minister Delyan Dobrev as New Economy Energy and Tourism Minister] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-11-10 , The Sofia Echo, by The Echo staff. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.)
9. (1 October 2016). "Дянков: Проектът "Белене" трябваше да бъде прекратен по-рано". Investor.bg.
10. (16 March 2012). "Борисов пак омъгли съдбата на АЕЦ "Белене"". Mediapool.
11. (6 July 2023). "Ukraine Nears Nuclear Deal With Bulgaria in Fresh Blow for Russian Influence". Wall Street Journal.
12. (28 July 2023). "Партиите, подкрепящи кабинета и ДПС внесоха общо предложение за прекратяване на дерогацията". Dnevnik.bg.
13. (9 November 2023). "Putin rakes in extra €1B for his war chest via Bulgaria sanctions loophole". Politico.
14. (9 November 2023). "Putin rakes in extra €1B for his war chest via Bulgaria sanctions loophole". Politico.
15. (12 July 2012). "France’s Total granted oil, gas exploration licence in Bulgaria". 3 E News.
16. (20 July 2023). "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.