22.03.2013

No tension should be created on issues that do not pose risk, but are rather a clash of political ideas, Minister of Finance Kalin Hristov said at the first meeting of the National Tripartite Council (NTC), having in mind the speculations on \"the fiscal reserve amount\". \"The fiscal reserve has a seasonal nature. For that reason no uncertainty should be created regarding its level. Nobody wins thereof, only political aims are served\", Hristov added.

\"Our intention is to implement the 2013 budget and to pursue policies within the framework of this budget\", the Finance Minister stated. Minister Hristov clarified that the budget had an expenditure side that was considered to be firm and that expenditure should be made. However, according to him there is certain uncertainty in respect of the revenue side and it depends on the development of the economy and the general condition of the euro area.

The Finance Minister emphasized that some of the proposals submitted to the NTC required changes to the Budget Law, but the Caretaker Government had no such powers. \"The proposals show only benefits but no expenditure. It would be good to discuss each proposal and everyone to have the honesty to describe the existing benefits and the potential expenditure in order to have a fair discussion. Otherwise we risk having abstract and highly polarized discussions\", Hristov commented.