Rosen Plevneliev

Former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy is this year's holder of the annual award for pro-European policy of Bulgarian TV station Evropa (Europe).

Bulgaria spends far more on defense as a share of its GDP compared to Germany, Italy, and Canada, NATO data shows.

A CNN Money report, which includes Alliance data about military expenditures, cites NATO statistics according to which Bulgaria, with spending at 1.20% of GDP, ranks 12th out of 28 member states.

It is still far behind the 2% target adopted in 2014.

Cooperation in the areas of defence and security between Bulgaria and Poland has been on the agenda of Monday's talks in Sofia between Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Polish President Andrzej Duda, the government press office has announced.

Russia should return to policies that conform to predictability, dialogue and cooperation, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has said.

At a joint press conference with Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, Plevneliev has called on Russia to give up what he called "aggressive actions".

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is to receive Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda on Monday as the latter arrives to meet officials, Plevneliev's press office has said.

The two heads of state are set to meet privately at 10:25 at Plevneliev's office, with the Bulgarian President due to award Duda with a Stara Planina order for his contribution to bilateral relations.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has called for the creation of a genuine European energy market.

He has added Europe urgently needs to establish the Energy Union (a project embraced by the current EU Commission) based on interconnectivity and preventing the use of natural gas as a weapon.

Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev has said his country is looking for Slovakia's support for its involvement in energy projects currently developed by the Visegrad Group.

Plevneliev has made the comment after a meeting with Slovakian counterpart Andrej Kiska in Bratislava.

The Visegrad Group, also known as V4, includes Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

According to Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, being a member of the EU is the only only way forward for achieving prosperity, safety and security.

Plevneliev wants Bulgaria to be a proud member of the EU and not subordinate to one of the world powers.

President Rosen Plevneliev will attend and take part in the 11th edition of the Globsec forum due on April 15-17 in Bratislava, Slovakia, his press office has said.

Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Thursday that there is no migrant pressure on the country's borders and the deployment of 300 additional troops to the borders with Greece and Turkey is a preventive measure.