Latest News from Bulgaria

Bulgaria Court Overturns Denial of Asylum to Iranian Woman

A court in the Black Sea city of Burgas has ruled an Iranian woman living in Bulgaria should be granted asylum.

The decision comes after the State Agency for Refugees (DAB) of the country had rejected the woman's asylum request.

US Director Ted Kotcheff Granted Bulgarian Citizenship

Bulgarian Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on Friday granted citizenship to Ted Kotcheff, a US director born to Bulgarian parents.

Kotcheff submitted an application in February, prior to his arrival to Bulgaria for this years' edition of the Sofia International Film Festival.

On Monday he is to receive a birth certificate and Bulgarian identity documents.

Bulgaria Police Bust Cocaine Smuggling Ring

A criminal gang involved in a ring smuggling cocaine into Western Europe from Turkey has been cracked down in a specialized operation, police have said.

Bulgaria's Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) has seized 30 tons of cocaine in 25 packages across the country.

Bulgaria PM Praises EU Commission Monitoring Mechanism

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has defended the mechanism applied on Bulgaria and Romania's judicial system and anti-corruption efforts.

He has insisted that the EU monitoring should be used a comprehensive reform of "the alpha and the omega" of the judiciary.

More Than 3000 People Sought Asylum in Bulgaria in Jan-Feb 2016

As many as 3150 people applied for asylum in Bulgaria in the first two months of 2016, the  State Agency for Refugees has said.

Most of these were citizens of Iraq (1719), followed by Afghanistan (917) and Syria (359), Pakistan (94) and Iran (8).

The latest statistics come after weeks-long delays in publishing the data.

EU-Turkey Migrant Deal: Europe Facing 'Herculean Task', Juncker Says

The EU will disburse EUR 3 B to Turkey until 2018 for Syrian refugees and will allocate as much additionally after that period, the EU and Turkey's leaders have announced.

Additionally, Ankara will work to implement its remaining 45 (out of a total of 72) prerequisites to be granted visa-free travel to Europe by the end of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of EU at the end of June.

EU, Turkey Leaders Agree on Migrant Crisis Deal

The European Council has said an agreement was reached between all 28 countries of the bloc and Turkey on a deal that is expected to ease pressure that hundreds of thousands of migrants have been applying on Europe over the past year.

Now unanimous agreement between all EU HoSG and Turkey's PM on EU-Turkey Statement

? Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) March 18, 2016

Paris Tourism Expo Notes Surprising Interest in Bulgaria as Holiday Destination

The organisers of the Paris world tourism exposition note that there is a surprisingly high interest towards Bulgaria as a holiday destination this year.

According to Le Telegramme, there is 106 % increase in the number of bookings for holidays in Bulgaria this summer.

Bulgarian Police, Army Conduct Joint Drills on Border with Macedonia

Bulgarian police officers and servicemen are conducting joint training on the country's border with Macedonia on Friday.

The training is aimed at assessing the country's capacity to guard the border in the event of a heightened migrant pressure and counter the smuggling of migrants.

Two Bulgarians Recognised at 2016 MEP Awards

Two Bulgarian MEPs were recognised at this year's edition of the MEP awards which were announced at a ceremony on Wednesday.

The twelfth edition of the annual awards of The Parliament Magazine recognised the work and achievements of MEPs across a range of police areas.

Bulgarian President: Judicial Reform Is in Centre of Everything

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said in a statement to parliament on Friday that continuing and completing the judicial reform should be the country's utmost priority as it is in the centre of everything.

Plevneliev noted this in his traditional speech after the conclusion of the month of political consultations with the parliamentary represented parties.

Bulgarian FM Dismisses Ministry's Chief Secretary Over Traffic Violation

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov dismissed on Thursday the ministry's chief secretary Stoyan Todorov.

Todorov was dismissed on the instruction of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov after it emerged that an official of the ministry had conducted a traffic violation in the centre of Sofia.

Bulgarian Police Bust Criminal Group Making Fake Euro Notes  

Bulgarian police have cracked down on a criminal group dealing in production and distribution of counterfeit euro notes, the Ministry of the Interior announced on Thursday.

Police, acting jointly with customs officials and prosecutors, have thwarted an attempt to produce and distribute 50 million euro in fake banknotes, the ministry said in a statement.

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