Latest News from Bulgaria

TUI looks to new holiday destinations as Turkey bookings slump

TUI Group, the world's largest tour operator, reported a 40 percent drop in bookings to Turkey this summer due to safety concerns and said it was investing in Cape Verde and Bulgaria as alternatives to security-threatened North Africa.

GERB MP Agrees to Have Immunity Lifted over Investigation

Ivan Mihovski, an MP from the main governing GERB party, has given up his immunity as demanded by Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, his party has reported.

On Tuesday Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov submitted a request to Parliament demanding that the immunity of Mihovski be lifted in relation to an ongoing probe.

Bulgaria FM: EU 'to Launch Proceedings' against Greece over Border Blockade

The European Commission is to launch infringement proceedings against Greece, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov has said.

He has also noted that tension on both sides of the Bulgarian-Greek border is growing and is becoming "unacceptable".

The EU Commission has not yet commented on his words.

Bulgaria to Give EUR 0.4 M in Support of Syria in 2016

Bulgaria will channel EUR 0.4 M through various "programs and instruments" to contribute to the support for Syria, Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said on Tuesday.

Mitov added the effort to rebuild Syria was "not less important" than the end of armed hostilities.

His comments were part of a session held by Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Sofia.

Greece Giving 'No Information' on Border Blockade Hours

Greek authorities have not provided any information as to the timing of the blockade staged by farmers at the border with Bulgaria, according to the governor of Blagoevgrad, a Southeastern Bulgarian region.

No details have been submitted to local authorities in the border region despite promises from their Greek counterparts, Focus Radio quotes Governor Biser Mihaylov as saying.

Ex-Leader of Bulgaria's DPS Reveals Details on New Political Party

Lyutvi Mestan, the former leader of DPS party who was expelled last year, vowed that his new political project will adhere to "liberal and Euro-Atlantic" values.

In an interview with private national NOVA TV broadcaster on Tuesday, he said that the crisis in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party was the outcome of its ever more outspoken "pro-Russian" orientation.

Sofia to Host Council of Europe Event on Tuesday

A meeting of heads of parliamentary foreign affairs committees from Council of Europe member states is due in Sofia, Bulgaria, on February 04.

The Bulgarian National Assembly has said the meeting will be themed "Democratic Security, Based on European Identity and Cooperation."

Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey 'to Increase Cooperation on Migrant Crisis'

A trilateral summit will be held in March bringing together Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey to establish a "tripartite mechanism" to cooperate on the migrant crisis, Daily Sabah reports, citing diplomatic sources.

The daily notes this comes against the background of "a new wave of refugees due to Russian military interference".

Ilinden Crossing on Bulgaria-Greece Border Expected to Reopen at 10 p.m. Monday

Traffic at Ilinden-Exochi crossing on Bulgaria's border with Greece is expected to resume after 10 p.m. on Monday, the Interior Ministry in Sofia has said.

The crossing has been closed to all traffic since 5 p.m. on Monday by strike action of Greek farmers on their side of the border.

Kulata-Promachonas crossing has been reopened for cars and buses since 4 p.m.

Potential Bulgarian Nominee for UN Chief States Intention to Carry on as EC Vice-President

Bulgaria appears to have decided on its nomination for the next United Nations Secretary General, capital.bg speculated on Monday after the government released a statement that Kristalina Georgieva has signalled her intention to carry on in her present position.