Latest News from Bulgaria
World Bank: Entire Bulgarian Generation Needed To Reach EU Standards
Bulgaria has to continue to improve collectability of taxes and take measures for reducing the size of the grey economy, recommended the European Commission.
The World Bank warned that, at this rate of labour productivity, an entire generation will be needed in order to reach the average levels of income and living standards in the EU.
KEVR To Launch Inspections of Energy Distribution Ventures
Bulgaria's Energy Ministry and the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (KEVR) will start emergency inspections of the three electricity distribution ventures due to the record-high consumption of electricity in the last two months.
The purpose is to guarantee that the bills of household consumers for December and January are real.
Belgium's CALL: Bulgaria Does Not Offer Migrants Good Conditions
Conditions for the admission of migrants in Bulgaria are not satisfactory, ruled in three separate instances a judge with the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) in Belgium, reported BTA.
Bulgaria's Handover of Gulenist to Turkey 'Unlawful' - Amnesty
The move to expel Gülen supporter Abdullah Buyuk to Turkey "bears all the hallmarks of an unlawful rendition to risk of torture", human rights organization Amnesty International says in a report.
In one of the sections dedicated to Bulgaria, AI recalls the story of Buyuk, who was handed over to Turkey in August of last year.
Bulgaria's Vice President Hints at Her Appointment to Interim Govt
"I will have a new workplace" in the short term, Bulgarian Vice President Margarita Popova has said at her farewell press conference with President Rosen Plevneliev.
Popova's comment comes in response to a journalist's question whether she received an invitation to the caretaker cabinet due to be appointed by President-elect Rumen Radev.
Bulgaria May Lose EU Presidency If It Stirs Divisions, President Warns
Outgoing Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has argued Bulgaria may be stripped of its Council of the European Union presidency if it works toward division within the EU.
In his farewell press conference alongside Vice President Margarita Popova, he has said such a move is one of the "big risks" facing the country in the months to come, a step that would be "a shame" on Bulgaria.
EP's Tajani 'Wishes GERB Good Luck in Elections' - Bulgaria PM
Newly-elected European Parliament President Antonio Tajani has spoken with outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, the latter has said.
On Facebook, Borisov has announced he called Tajani to congratulate him on his election on Tuesday.
The new EU Parliament head voiced his confidence GERB would win back Bulgarian citizens' trust, according to the Facebook post.
Political Turmoil Imperils Bulgaria's 2018 EU Presidency
"The Bulgarian EU presidency is a way to attract attention to the [Balkan] region," Meglena Kuneva, Bulgaria's deputy prime minister in charge of European policies said on Tuesday as she presented the logo for the country's six-month presidency of the European Council, which will start on January 1, 2018.
Bulgaria's Presidential Transition: What Comes Next (Part 1)
Several days of handing the Presidency over to Rumen Radev from Rosen Plevneliev are coming until the end of the week.
The end of Plevneliev's tenure symbolically begins with his last press conference on Wednesday morning where he will summarize the five years of holding the office.
Bulgaria's Weather Service Warns of Snow in Most of Country Wednesday
Bulgaria's weather service has issued a Code Yellow warning for most of the country's 28 regions.
Sofia-Region, Sofia, Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad are the only regions not affected by the warnings.
Snowfall is expected in all the 23 regions affected.
Bulgaria President Awards Order to Spanish Ambassador
President Rosen Plevneliev on Tuesday awarded Spain's outgoing Ambassador to Bulgaria Jose Luis Tapia Vicente with a Stara Planina order (Order of the Balkan Mountains).
Plevneliev hailed his work not only as an envoy to Bulgaria, but during the years when Bulgarian medics were held imprisoned in Libya until 2007.
Average Monthly Wage in Bulgaria To Exceed BGN 1,000 in 2017
The average monthly wage in Bulgaria will exceed BGN 1,000 in 2017, forecast experts of UniCredit Group. The forecast was made at the financial forum Euromoney in Vienna, reported BTA.
Bulgaria Asks Greek Authorities To Prevent Border Blockade
In relation to the information about upcoming protests of Greek farmers that would block the border with Greece, the Interior Ministry has remained in constant touch with Greek authorities, announced the press centre of the Interior Ministry.
Outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has sent an official letter to her Greek counterpart.
NY Times: As Support for EU Flags Elsewhere, Bulgaria Sees Its Benefits
Bulgarians have benefited a lot from their EU membership, with incomes rising and Brussels overseeing politicians, according to a New York Times piece.
Amidst the wave of EU skepticism, Bulgaria is benefiting from free trade, work and travel across the bloc, the impact of EU funding, and EU monitoring on corruption and organized crime.
Grigor Dimitrov Makes It Past 1st Round at Australian Open
Bulgaria's highest-ranking tennis player Grigor Dimitrov has set off to a good start at Australian Open, defeating Christopher O'Connell.
In a 2-hour game, he has triumphed over the Australian national 7:6 (2), 6:3, 6:3.
Dimitrov has made three breakthroughs during the match, giving his opponent, the world's No 231, a chance for none.