In July 2009, the Russian Ministry of Finance has sent a letter to the Bulgarian government in regard with the interest of the Bulgarian side in the offered Russian loan, and still has received no reply.
In a meeting between Genadiy Tepkyan, Atomexportstroy vice president and Bulgarian diplomats, the Russians said the Bulgarian government had to make a decision on the request of a Russian credit for Belene by August 2009.
Atomexportstroy, otherwise would not be able to include the projected expenses in its 2010 budget, and the construction of the plant would be stopped.
Russia has expressed its concern about the slow procedures for granting work permits to the 850 Russian specialists who are estimated to arrive at Belene in 2010. The standard procedure takes three months but if there are delays, this might hinder the start of the construction.
