Оn the morning of January 31, Bulgarian news agency BTA quoted Kremikovtzi Spokesman Roumen Zankov as saying that Ukrainian investor Metinvest has withdrawn from the negotiations, but that negotiations were underway with two investors.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said that on January 30, Ukrainian investor Konstantin Zhevago, sent a letter confirming his commitments to the company's modernisation and development plans, as well as its ecological and social investments. Zhevago confirmed he would provide 80 million euro as working capital through his own sources and through the financial and lending group he heads, BTA said.

Stanishev said the government would support a serious investor.

Measures had been taken against siphoning off of selling out of assets of the steelworks, BTA said.

Later on the day Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov assured protesting workers of the mill that the government would not allow the steelmaker to be closed. Dimitrov said the mill was "one of the most important parts of Bulgaria," BTA said.

Dimitrov met with prosecutor general Boris Velchev to discuss possible action the prosecution could take in the Kremikovtzi case.

Yane Yanev, member of parliament of the United Democratic Forces, said that all developments around Kremkovtzi are criminal in essence and that he would have talks with opposition parties to find a way "to protect Sofia's citizens." Kremikovtzi could not be renovated or rehabilitated and needed to be closed down, BTA quoted Yanev as saying.