Bulgarian National Radio

Austrian Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner has argued that the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute requires a political decision involving the EU.

A public discussion of the project for the creation of a Black Sea Coast National Park Bulgarian starts at the Burgas Municipality.

The proposal for the park was put forth in 2013 by MPs from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).

Renewable energy producers have threatened to sue Bulgaria's energy watchdog due to its intentions to impose a dramatic reduction in preferential tariffs.

The decrease in the preferential tariff for wind farms is by 20-22% and for photovoltaic plants by over 50%, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

Defense Minister Angel Naydenov has said that the socialists will not set a date for the snap elections during Tuesday's sitting of the Consultative Council on National Security.

Naydenov, Spokesperson for the Bulgarian Socialist Party, announced the plans of the ruling party after a Monday sitting of the Executive Bureau of BSP.

Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Daniela Bobeva has explained that the government is ready to secure gas consumption for a minimum of 3-4 months in the case of a gas supply crisis.

Bobeva, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio, announced Monday that additional gas quantities were being injected into the Chiren gas storage facility.

Bulgaria had the second-lowest tax burden in the EU, Eurostat data has shown.

The country was second only to Lithuania, but had the lowest income levy in within the bloc with its 10-percent flat rate, the Bulgarian National Radio reports citing the European statistical body.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Economy and Energy is preparing a stance on the steps it is taking in relation to the Russia -Ukraine gas dispute.

Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev announced a few days ago that the government had responded to the latest development in the gas talks between Ukraine and Russia by starting to inject additional gas quantities into the Chiren gas storage facility.

The Bulgarian Black Sea resort of Chernomorets will not change its name to Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas), according to the results of a local referendum.

The referendum was unsuccessful due to the low voter turnout.

A total of 788 people went to the polls and there were 770 valid ballots.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin is on an official two-day visit to Cyprus.

The agenda of the visit starts with meetings with representatives of the Bulgarian community in the country, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Georgia is holding local elections on Sunday.

Voters are to elect new municipal councils and the mayors of 12 cities and towns, including the capital of Tbilisi.

Some 24 political entities are taking part in the elections, including 20 parties and 4 blocs, according to local news agencies, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio.