Russia is not interested in the huge property in the center of the city of Varna, Bulgaria, which until recently was used as the headquarters of the consulate, but has turned to another location for the same purpose. This became known at the last meeting of the Commission on Property Issues of the Varna City Council. Thus, it became clear that Russia is again trying to have a consulate in the city, reports Sega.bg, which is quoted by Rador Radio Romania.

The topic was discussed in connection with Mayor Blagomir Kotsev’s proposal to transfer the building of the former consulate to the municipality. The property, with an area of ​​almost 5,000 square meters, is public-private and managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was used as a Russian consulate for many years, but gradually closed after the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats in the summer of 2022 by the government of Kirill Petkov.

According to information released during a parliamentary hearing last fall, the property was being used under a lease, the last of which was signed in 2020 for three years, but it has already expired. Kotsev wants the city hall of Varna to receive it free of charge from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to use it for a kindergarten, a storage room for the city library or for other purposes.

Although the councilors blocked the mayor’s idea at the previous meeting, now it has been appointed for one session. Information about Russia’s interest in another building helped. The information was announced by municipal councilor Hristo Atanasov – Russia’s intentions were discussed at a recent meeting between councilors, representatives of the administration and the minister. It turned out that the new building is private.

President of the commission Iordan Kateliev during the meeting said that it is located on Brativ Shkorpil street. Later, Deputy Mayor Pavlo Popov explained to Sega that Russia wanted to rent a building that was a school library. Until the 1980s, it served as the consulate of the USSR.

The building is much smaller than the one used until now. At the meeting of the commission, it was also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs knows about all this, that is, it is promoting the idea of ​​opening a new consulate.