Latest News from Bulgaria
Idomeni: NGOs urge refugees to cross border
The refugees and immigrants stranded at Idomeni are once more misinformed, since there are indications that people will try to distribute false information that the borders will open and they will be able to continue their journey to Europe.
Bulgaria Spent 1.4% of GDP on Defence in 2014, Above EU-28 Average
Defence expenditure amounted to 1.3% of GDP for the EU-28 and 1.2% of GDP for the 19 countries of the euro area in 2014, according to new data from the European Union's statistical office (Eurostat)
Austria Ready to Help Prevent Opening of New Migrant Route, Bulgaria Says
Austria is ready to support Bulgaria'sefforts to improve border security in view of potential increase in migration pressure, including by secondment of police officers, a senior Austrian official has said.
Bulgaria's Sofia Holds 2nd Edition of Grand Chocolate Festival
Bulgaria's capital Sofia is holding the second edition of its Grand Chocolate Festival over the weekend, presenting both standard and unique chocolate products in various categories.
Visitors can see handmade chocolate, chocolate candy, factory chocolate, chocolate creams and cakes, and books about chocolate.
Bulgaria to Switch to Daylight Saving Time Sunday, March 27
Bulgaria will move to summer time at 3 a.m. local standard time on Sunday, March 27.
Clocks are to be turned forward 1 hour to 4 a.m. local daylight time instead, which means there will be more light in the evenings.
Bulgaria Plans to Finalise Gas Hub Project in Month and a Half
Bulgaria's project for building a natural gas hub on its Black Sea coast is expected to be finalized in a month and a half, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev has said.
Bulgaria's Gross Foreign Debt Falls Slightly in January
Bulgaria's gross foreign debt edged down by 0.7% month-on-month, reaching EUR 33.8 B at the end of January, or 73% of 2016 GDP forecast, according to preliminary data, the country's central bank announced on Friday
Long-term foreign debt totalled EUR 26.1.B at end-January, falling by 0.4% from end-December, the BNB said.
Short-term debt dropped by 1.7%, reaching EUR 7.7 B
Sofia Public Transport Co. Seeks Rise in Ticket Prices
The municipal company operating the public transport in Sofia has proposed to raise the standard ticket price by 60% in a bid to increase the use of prepaid travel cards.
President Gjorge Ivanov Calls on Bulgaria to Embrace Macedonia
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov called on Bulgaria to embrace its southwestern neighbour Macedonia.
In an interview for BGNES news agency published on Friday, Ivanov said that he wants Bulgaria to be Macedonia's most fervent supporter.
Bulgarian PM Expects Main Migrant Threat to Come from Greek Border
During a question and answer session in parliament on Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said that he expects the main migrant threat to come from the border with Greece.
Borisov was not scheduled to participate in the question and answer session, but he appeared in parliament to respond to MP's enquiries.
Bulgaria Reaffirms Readiness to Erect Wire Fence on Border with Greece
Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev reaffirmed on Thursday the country's readiness to erect a light wire fence along its border with Greece in preparation for an eventual increase in migrant pressure.
The minister specified neither the length of the fence nor its exact location out of security considerations, reassuring that the situation at the border is calm for the moment.
Northwestern city sheds light on Thracian mystery
A large number of artifacts from the Thracian civilization have been unearthed during archaeological excavations which have been continuing for 16 years in the northwestern province of Tekirda?.
Bulgarian DefMin Asks for Extra Funding to Buy Gear for Border Surveillance, Anti-terror Operations
Bulgaria's Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has requested an additional BGN 1.5 M (EUR 750,000) to provide essential equipment to army personnel taking part in border protection and control jointly with police, BNR public radio broadcaster reported.
Bulgarian Army, Police Hold Border Security Drill at Ilinden Crossing
Bulgarian Army troops are holding a joint training exercise with border police units at Ilinden, a crossing at the country's border with Greece, the Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
Bulgaria's Deposit Insurer Signs EUR 300 M Loan Deal with EBRD
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will extend a loan of EUR 300 M to the Bulgarian Deposit Insurance Fund (BDIF) under a deal signed in Sofia on Thursday.