Bokov

Former Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov called on the government to immediately nominate Irina Bokova as a candidate for UN Secretary-General, threatening to withdraw his party's support if the cabinet fails to do so.

Parvanov is leader of left-wing Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV), which is one of the two parties supporting the coalition government.

In an article published on Wednesday, The New American magazine identified the Director-General of UNESCO and likely candidate for UN Secretary-General, Irina Bokova, as a fervent communist.

The article is critical of US President Barack Obama for his apparent support for the candidacy of Bokova.

UNESCO Secretary General Irina Bokova has yet again stated her position that preservation of cultural and historic monuments in conflict zones is a must. She affirmed her statement noting that despite conflicts in Iraq and Syria, cultural heritage must be secured.

UNESCO head Irina Bokova is "often considered to be the frontrunner" to become the next UN Secretary General, a piece on FT's website reads.

UNESCO's Director General Irina Bokova was awarded the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor.

The French order had been established by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19 1802 and is deemed a token of chivalry.

Bokova received the award on account of her outstanding military and civil contributions.

UNESCO?s fourth Chair on Management and Promotion of World Heritage Sites was launched on Jan. 7 at Istanbul?s Kadir Has University.

UNESCO head Irina Bokova has said she does not see "any obstacle" for the next UN Secretary-General to be a woman.

Bokova said in an interview with the Associated Press it was "time for a woman to become secretary-general. Definitely".

The agency's text is titled "Bulgarian as 1st Woman UN Chief?" and comes amid other media reports pointing to Bokova as a strong contender.

Sofia has been declared a UNESCO City of Film.

The City of Film program is part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

The new cities were announced by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in Paris.