Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria's Borisov Discusses Readmission With Afghani Authorities
In a telephone conversation with the head of the executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah, outgoing Prime Minister Borisov has underlined the commitment of Bulgaria to the recovery and development of the country.
At the same time, he has expressed his concern in relation to the growing influx of migrants from Afghanistan.
EU-Funded Border Projects in Bulgaria at Risk
The absorption of some of the 160 million euros, granted to Bulgaria by the European Commission in September, is under risk because of short time frames, outgoing Deputy Interior Minister Philip Gounev said on Thursday.
Canadian Auto Interior Company Opening 3rd Plant in Bulgaria
ALC, a Canada-headquartered auto upholstery producer, is set to open its third plant in the country, Capital Daily reports.
The new facility will be located in Blagoevgrad, in Bulgaria's southwest.
ALC Bulgaria so far employs 1600 people in its its plants in Musachevo and Ihtiman.
Bulgaria's Defense, Interior Ministries Get BGN 2 B for 2017
The ministries of defense and interior will be allocated a total of BGN 2 B for next year, Bulgarian MPs have decided.
Part of the Defense Ministry's funding (BGN 1.08 B) will be earmarked to fill a small number of vacancies in the military, with 250 openings to be offered even though the armed forces need more than 5500 people as of the moment.
ECHR Sentences Bulgaria over Violation of Inmates' Right to Free Speech
The Justice Ministry has been allocated EUR 10 500 to pay two prison inmates who have won cases against Bulgaria, the government says.
Jock Palfreeman and Nikolay Shahanov will be paid EUR 3500 and EUR 7000 respectively.
Bulgarian Socialist Head Admits to Disagreeing with President-Elect on Judicial Reform
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Korneliya Ninova has acknowledged her disagreement with President-elect Rumen Radev, backed by her party, on how a key reform to the judicial system should proceed.
"We have a different notion about how things would happen," she has told private bTV broadcaster in an interview.
Sofia's 1st Living Christmas Tree to Be Lit Up on Thursday
Bulgaria's capital Sofia will have a living Christmas tree for the first time and will light it up on Thursday, the local administration says.
Unlike previous years, the tree is not located in front of the Sofia Municipality building, near the Sofia Court House.
GERB Stymies 'Patriots'' Hopes of Ruling Bulgaria
Bulgaria's leading party, GERB, has said it will not support either of its former coalition partners - the Reformist Bloc, or the Patriotic Front - if the President mandates them to form a new government within the current parliament.
Ex US Ambassador to Bulgaria Quits as OSCE Envoy, Moves to Russian Law Firm
Former US Ambassador to Bulgaria James Warlick will join Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners (EPA&P), a Russian law firm, as of January 2017.
Warlick made the announcement on Twitter, thus putting an end to 30 years of service for the US Department of State.
Currently he is the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, a role he will leave on December 31.
Bulgaria's Govt Approves EUR 600 M for Belene
The government has approved EUR 601,617,133 from the budget surplus to be allocated as state assistance to the National Electric Company (NEK).
The funds must be used by the state venture to pay Russian Atomstroyexport for the equipment ordered for the Belene NPP.
EC Vice President Georgieva Denies Charges of Conflict of Interest
Outgoing Vice President of the EC Kristalina Georgieva has announced in a statement published by the press centre of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria that there is no conflict of interest with respect to her current and her future job.
Hungary To Hire "Border Hunters" for USD 340 M
The Hungarian government is expecting another migrant wave in the spring. In this relation, the cabinet of Viktor Orban announced that it will spend up to USD 340 M for the training, equipment and remuneration of 3,000 "border hunters".
They will be hired in order to secure the fences erected last year against the entry of illegal migrants, reported Associated Press.
Bulgaria's State Social Insurance Allocated BGN 10.4 B for 2017
Bulgaria's State Social Insurance (SSI) will have at its disposal nearly BGN 10.4 B next year.
In spite of the fact that the texts were not supported by the budget commission on Tuesday, the management of Parliament decided that this is merely an opinion and submitted the text to a vote. The text was approved with the support of GERB, ABV, BDC and Ataka.
Bulgaria's Biggest Party Divided over Nationalist-Led Cabinet
The prospect of forming a nationalist-led cabinet within the current Parliament has divided opinions in Bulgaria, with the biggest party itself split over the move.
Offshore Company Allowed to Acquire Technomarket Bulgaria
The competition watchdog of Bulgaria has given the green light for a Dubai-registered offshore company to acquire consumer electronics retailer Technomarket.
TGI Middle East FZE is also the entity which several months ago bought a stake in Bulgarian tobacco holding Bulgartabac, purchasing shares from controversial MP Delyan Peevski and Italian businessman Edoardo Miroglio.