Bulgarian Parliament

Bulgaria observed February 1 as the Day of Homage to the Victims of the Communist Regime, a poignant reminder of the dark historical chapter that unfolded in the aftermath of World War II.

Australia Day, which is celebrated all over the world on January 26, was also celebrated in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian-Australian Business Chamber gathered diplomats, politicians and business representatives at an official event where the guests of honor were the Australian Ambassador H.E. Alison Duncan and the Bulgarian ambassador to Australia H.E. Encho Dimitrov.

The Bulgarian Parliament has passed the Renewable Sources Energy Act in marine spaces at its initial reading, aiming to establish administrative procedures and principles for the development, operation, and decommissioning of power plants in Bulgaria's maritime areas.

Transport Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov declared the readiness of Bulgaria's inaugural medical helicopter during a recent interview on Nova TV. Gvozdeikov shared that the helicopter, designed to meet the highest standards for emergency care, is set to be transported from Italy to Bulgaria next week, with assurance from Italian manufacturers that it will arrive by the end of January.

Day 690 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

In a recent video conference call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his gratitude to Bulgarian political leaders Boyko Borissov, Kiril Petkov, and Delyan Peevski for their parties' supportive decisions in the Bulgarian parliament.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Huseyn Huseynov, conveyed in an interview with "Euronews Bulgaria" that Azerbaijan remains receptive to considering the acquisition of Bulgaria's Lukoil Neftohim Burgas oil refinery. However, as of now, there has been no concrete proposal put forth for consideration, as stated by the Ambassador.

The United States has formally requested detailed clarification from Bulgaria regarding recent legal amendments passed by the Bulgarian parliament concerning Lukoil, the import of Russian oil, and any exceptions granted.

Hungary will lift its objection to Bulgaria joining Europe's passport-free Schengen zone after the Bulgarian parliament formally confirms its scrapping of an extra tax on Russian gas shipments, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said.

"I was informed by my Bulgarian colleague that yesterday the Bulgarian parliament scrapped this law," Szijjarto said in a video on his Facebook page.

Hungary is set to retract its opposition to Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen zone following Bulgaria's official abolition of an additional tax on Russian gas shipments. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed this development on December 19, citing an update from his Bulgarian counterpart.