Bulgaria

According to the National Audit Office, 25 political formations complied with election fundraising rules, while two parties and a coalition received funding from unclear sources.

The report includes 22 political parties, 7 coalitions, and an initiative committee.

The British embassy in Sofia said that Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is to meet Queen Elizabeth in London on March 18.

During his visit to the UK, Plevneliev will be accompanied by a business delegation who will attend a business forum organized by the UK department for trade and investment.

There is an increased risk of extremist and terrorist groups in Bulgaria, concluded a report of the State Agency for National Security (DANS). 

The agency has identified the “considerable risks for national security”, but did not specify them. In 2013 it has investigated nearly 100 000 dubious people and has deported from Bulgaria 128 foreigners, deemed dangerous for Bulgaria. 

Tasks regarding the South Stream are under way at a technical level, Bulgaria's Economy Minister Dragomir Stoynev has said.

He asserted that the gas pipeline project has not come to a halt despite "political" factors that might lead to delays, Stoynev explained in an interview for the Bulgarian National Television.

Hundreds of people working for Irrigation Systems are set to begin demonstrations across Bulgaria. 

They are protesting over the lack of payment at the state entity, which is on the brink of declaring bankruptcy, Bulgarian website Dariknews.bg has reported.

Turkey, Balkan states lead global police training co-operative

Now in its fourth year, INTERPA is a growing international organisation aimed at improving the quality of police training.

Police training academies from Turkey and several Balkan states helped establish the International Association of Police Academies (INTERPA) in 2011. [AFP]

The new vehicles will be sold in Southeast Europe and cost 135,000 euros. Also in business news: Bulgaria will receive 127 million euros from the EU to help establish an e-governance programme.

PARMA - Serbia's women volleyball team will play in Group B of the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Championship in Italy, with the national teams of Brazil, Turkey, Bulgaria, Cameroon, and the winner of the qualifying tournament in Canada, it was decided at the draw ceremony in Parma, Italy, on Monday afternoon.

BELGRADE - Belgrade has been named the best place for tourism as part of the traditional International tourist patrol "SACEN International", with Turkey as the best tourist destination and Belgrade-based Singidunum University as the best partner in tourism in southeastern Europe in 2013.

RUSE - Mutual understanding and joint action by Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria towards European decision-makers are important for all citizens of these countries, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said on Friday at the three nations' trilateral meeting in Ruse, Bulgaria.