Caretaker PM: Important to have predictability in measures in response to crisis in Middle East

It is important to have predictability and a horizon in the implementation of measures related to the impact of the crisis in the Middle East on Bulgaria, caretaker Prime Minister Andre Gyurov said on April 3.

Gyurov was speaking at a meeting of the headquarters for the coordination of monitoring and control of prices of goods and services, which he earlier ordered established in response to the war in the Middle East.

The measures will be activated depending on the development of the situation in the Middle East, he said.

“We still have the lowest fuel prices in the EU, there is no drastic change in the competitiveness of Bulgarian carriers,” Gyurov said.

The National Revenue Agency has inspected 1000 out of 3900 fuel stations, the government information service said.

It was found that retail fuel prices are growing more slowly than wholesale prices, with the fuel stations themselves bearing part of the burden, the statement said.

Caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski cited data from Eurostat and the National Statistical Institute – inflation in March 2026 was 2.6 per cent on an annual basis, the growth compared to February was 0.5 per cent, the same as across the euro zone.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry is actively working on the scheme for deferring lease payments for companies, especially in the transport sector, through the Bulgarian Export Insurance Agency, the government information service said.

There is already a notification for the promised state aid to carriers through toll fees.

The Ministry of Transport is developing measures to guarantee school bus transportation until the end of the school year, as well as preserving intercity transport in small settlements, which for many citizens is the only option for transportation.

Caretaker Agriculture Minister Ivan Hristanov said that he does not expect a rise in the price of bread and pasta for at least the next three months.

He said that there is no reason for an increase in the prices of dairy products. Bulgaria is the only country in the EU where the price of raw milk is falling, while it is rising at the counter.

For fruits and vegetables, prices are expected to start decreasing in two to three weeks, Hristanov said.

The headquarters continues to develop focused measures to help citizens and businesses, while at the same time monitoring “non-market behaviour” that would affect consumers, the government information service said.