Latest News from Bulgaria
exPM Complains of Political Repression in Bulgaria to EC VicePresident
Boyko Borisov, leader of center-right party GERB and former Bulgarian Prime Minister, has complained of rampant political repression to EC Vice-President Viviane Reding.
Consumer Loan Act Changes Pass 1st Reading in Bulgaria's Parliament
A set of amendments to the Consumer Loan Act passed first reading in Bulgaria's Parliament.
The legal changes, put forth by Yordan Tsonev, MP from liberal party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and Rumen Gechev, MP from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), were approved with 99 votes in favor, 4 votes against and 7 abstentions, according to reports of dnevnik.bg.
Bulgaria's MPs Pass Audit Office Act Amendments
Bulgarian lawmakers passed at first reading amendments to National Audit Office act.
The draft was voted in favor by 180 MPs, 77 were against and one MP abstained. As expected, the opposition was against the proposed amendments.
New Bridge Boosts Bulgaria-Romania Trade
Romania has become Bulgaria's third largest trading partner after Germany and Italy, partly as a result of the New Europe Bridge, which opened last year, officials say.
Eurostat: Gender Pay Gap in Bulgaria at 15%
Women's gross hourly earnings were on average 15 % below those of men in Bulgaria in 2012, according to Eurostat data.
Bulgarian, Romanian, Serbian Prime Ministers Meet in Bulgaria's Ruse
The Prime Ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia,Plamen Oresharski, Victor Ponta and Ivica Dacic will hold a trilateral meeting in Bulgaria's Danube city of Ruse on Friday.
A lunch has been scheduled after the meeting.
Transit permits expected to help Turkey and Bulgaria
Transit permits expected to help Turkey and Bulgaria
A new liberalised transit permit regime between Bulgaria and Turkey should help businesses and develop the economy in both countries, officials and business owners say.
New liberalised traffic rules between Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to take effect in April. [Gabriel Petrescu/SETimes]
Bulgaria, Serbia improving military co-operation
Bulgaria, Serbia improving military co-operation
Joint training operations and preparation for multi-national exercises are the focal points of military co-operation between Bulgaria and Serbia.
Bulgaria soldiers are working with troops from Serbia on joint exercises and co-operation. [AFP]
EU Funding to Boost Bulgaria's E-Governance
The European Union will grant Bulgaria EUR 127M for the establishment of e-governance in the next EU programming period 2014-2020.
The funds will be provided under the new Good Governance operational program, Standard daily reports.
New Europe Bridge Increased Bulgaria-Romania Turnover
The New Europe Bridge, previously known as the Danube Bridge 2, has increased commodity turnover between Bulgaria and Romania.
Bilateral trade between the two countries now exceeds EUR 3B. Romanian export to Bulgaria grew by 9%, and Bulgarian export increased by 6%, Romanian Embassy counselor Victor Dediu revealed Thursday, Bulgarian Standard News reports.
Bulgarian Socialists Query Minister’s Ukraine Visit
Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin’s trip to Ukraine on Tuesday has sparked controversy among MPs, with MPs from the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party and the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms expressing shock.
The MPs said they did not understand whether it was Bulgaria’s position or his own stance on the Ukrainian crisis that the minister was representing.
Bulgarian Municipalities Demand 2-3% of Personal Income Tax
The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) has demanded that 2-3% of the personal income tax be redirected to local authorities.
Todor Popov, Chair of NAMRB, explained Thursday that the measure would bring an additional BGN 500 – 600 M into the budget of the local authorities.
USS Truxtun Sails In the Black Sea for Exercises with Bulgaria's Navy
The U.S. guided-missile destroyer Truxtun is bound for the Black Sea for military exercises with Bulgarian and Romanian naval forces.
According to the US military publication Stars and Stripes, the ship departed from Greece early Thursday and its visit is unrelated to the current events in Ukraine.
Rosatom Vows Regular Nuclear Fuel Supplies despite Ukraine Crisis
Russia's state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom has said it is prepared to use new supply routes and alternative transportation methods to bring nuclear fuel to Bulgaria.
Former EU Funds Min To Lead GERB EU Elections List
Bulgaria's former EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev was appointed EU elections 2014 list leader of center-right opposition GERB party.
Former Bulgarian Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borisov announced the news in front of Bulgarian journalists in Dublin.