President Asks Leaders to Not Use Varna Floods for Political Gain

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has called on party leaders to refrain from political confrontation over the deadly floods in Varna.

In a Friday statement, Plevneliev called for solidarity and empathy with the ones affected by the disastrous flooding.

The heavy rain and floods in the Black Sea city of Varna claimed at least 10 lives but the death toll is expected to climb.

Bulgaria's President, as cited by his press office, urged politicians to act responsible and to abstain from attempts to gain political advantage from the emergency situation.

He expressed hope that the competent authorities would manage to achieve optimal coordination of their activities so as to provide adequate and timely assistance to the population.

Plevneliev also assured that he was staying in touch with the crisis task force in Varna.

Bulgaria's President and Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, discussed over the phone the opportunities for assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund for coping with the damage caused by the disaster in several Bulgarian regions.