Nikolay

According to preliminary figures of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) released on Tuesday, Georgi and Maria continued to be most common Bulgarian names in 2015.

At the end of 2015, there were nearly 69 000 different personal names of people permanently residing in Bulgaria.

The cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft document to upgrade the Bulgarian Armed Forces' capabilities.

A statement by the government reads that the so-called Program for Development of Defense Capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces 2020 will be submitted to Parliament for consideration.

Lukashenko begins official visit to Serbia

BELGRADE -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Hero on Mt. Avala near Belgrade late on Wednesday.

BELGRADE - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Hero in Avala near Belgrade late on Wednesday.

Accompanied by the intonation of the national anthems of Belarus and Serbia, Lukashenko honoured the Serb soldiers who did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for freedom and a peaceful and dignified future for the coming generations.

The Holy Fire, which is ignited every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, is to be brought to Bulgaria at 6.30 pm on Holy Saturday.

The official clergy delegation is headed by Plovdiv metropolitan bishop Nikolay, who was elected to deliver the Holy Fire by the Holy Synod again this year.