It is not up to the European Commission to permit derogations from the EU rules, it is up to the competent national bodies, the EC told the BNR, in answer to the Bulgarian National Radio’s question whether the European Commission has received a request for a derogation regarding the transfer of money to the Russian embassy in Sofia.

• MP Toshko Yordanov: Bulgaria’s Ministry of Finance has blocked the money of the Russian Embassy in Sofia
  

According to outgoing Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev, the mission’s accounts are blocked because they are subject to the sanctions against Russia. Minister Vassilev stated that the Russian embassy had requested a derogation because they needed USD 890,000 for salaries. The Commission stated that they are in contact with all member countries in connection with the sanctions, but that they are not discussing them in detail.