Romania

Bulgaria has witnessed a bustling winter tourism season, with a total of 1.8 million tourists gracing its picturesque landscapes from December 1 to March 25. Data from the Ministry of Tourism reveals notable increases in visitor numbers, with Turkish tourists leading the surge, marking a remarkable 29.1% rise compared to the previous year.

FlixBus, the renowned European bus company, is set to launch new routes to and from Bulgaria in anticipation of the summer season, "Capital" reports. Managing Director of Flix Sofia Knowledge Hub, Petar Bankov, announced the exciting news, revealing that starting from June, FlixBus buses will operate daily between Sofia and Thessaloniki.

Eurostat data indicates that Greece (161.9%), Italy (137.3%), France (110.6%), Spain (107.7%), and Belgium reported the highest public debt-to-GDP ratios among EU member states by the conclusion of 2023.

Amid escalating tensions on its borders and a significant increase in the Ministry of National Defense budget, Romania is discreetly preparing for the reintroduction of compulsory military service, according to reports from Digi24.

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering their defense capabilities, Romania and South Korea have embarked on negotiations for joint arms production, signaling a significant milestone in their bilateral relations.

Bulgaria stands to lose approximately BGN 1 billion each year due to its continued exclusion from full membership in the Schengen area, Economy Minister Petko Nikolov cautioned. Speaking at the Vienna Economic Forum alongside representatives from prominent international companies, Nikolov emphasized the urgent need for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen.

Fighters taking part in the Iniochos 2024 multinational air exercise fly over the coast of the southwestern Peloponnese on Thursday. The 10-day exercise lasted 10 daysn and eight countries, besides Greece, took part: Cyprus, France, Montenegro, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the UK.

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson conducted an inspection of border control measures at Sofia Airport, marking a significant step in Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area by air. Accompanied by Bulgaria's caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, Commissioner Johansson observed the revamped procedures implemented after Bulgaria's Schengen accession.

Romania is making strides toward joining the Visa Waiver Program, a significant milestone that would enable its citizens to travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days. The country considers this inclusion a vital national objective and is steadily progressing towards meeting the necessary technical requirements.

Romanian media outlets have reported that storm "Renata" has made landfall in Romania, bringing with it strong winds and heavy precipitation. Following two weeks of record high temperatures, the mercury has plummeted by 15-20 degrees Celsius, as reported by Digi24.