Latest News from Bulgaria
GRECO Urges Bulgaria to Do More to Boost Transparency of Party Funding
Bulgaria should make considerable efforts to implement the recommendations on transparency of party funding and further develop legislation to fight corruption among public officials, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe has said.
Sofia Hosts Bulgaria's First ATP World Tour Tournament
For the first time in history, Bulgaria hosts a tournament from the ATP World Tour.
The first edition of Garanti Koza Sofia Open began on Monday and will last until Sunday, with the Arena Armeec hall being the venue for the matches.
The draw took place on Saturday, qualifications followed on Saturday and Sunday and the matches from the first round began on Monday.
Bulgaria, Montenegro Sign Social Security Agreement
A bilateral security agreement between Bulgaria and Montenegro signed on Monday will pave Montenegro's way to EU accession talks, Bulgarian Deputy PM and Labor Minister Ivaylo Kalfin has said.
Kalfin is one of the Bulgarian officials who met Igor Luksic, Montenegro's Foreign Minister, during his visit to Sofia.
Bulgaria's Education Minister Submits Resignation
Bulgarian Education Minister Todor Tanev submitted his resignation on Monday, the government's press service informs.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov demanded the resignation of Tanev last week over the systematic problems in the education system and the proposed controversial changes to the school curriculum which have not been subject to broad public discussion.
Three more migrants drown off Turkey's west
At least three Syrian migrants, including two children, drowned early on Jan. 31 in a fresh migrant boat tragedy off the western Turkish resort town of Didim.
Bulgarian Deputy Education Minister to Step Down
Bulgarian Deputy Education Minister Vanya Kastreva will submit her resignation to Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
Kastreva said in an interview for private Bulgaria ON AIR on Monday that her resignation was the most logical step amid the chaos ensuing from the circulation of untruths concerning Bulgarian education.
Bulgaria's President: Communist-Era Officials Still Wield Influence
The same old people affiliated to the Bulgarian Communist Party (BKP) that ruled the country during the Cold War are still attempting to dominate society, President Rosen Plevneliev has said.
Ivelin Popov Becomes Best Bulgarian Footballer of 2015
The player of Spartak Moscow Ivelin Popov was awarded the best Bulgarian footballer of the year prize on Saturday.
Popov garnered 241 points, leaving behind him Palermo midfielder Ivaylo Chochev and CSKA Moscow midfielder Georgi Milanov.
Bulgarian Sports Minister Krasen Kralev handed the award to the captain of the Bulgarian men's national football team.
Bulgaria Ranks 60th in Economic Freedom Index
Bulgaria ranks 60th in the latest Index of Economic Freedom which was released on Monday.
The index is published annually by The Wall Street Journal and the Washington-based Heritage Foundation think-tank.
The overall score of Bulgaria is 65.9, the country recording a decrease of 0.9 point compared to the previous edition of the index.
Bulgarian MPs Divided over Deputy PM's Candidacy for Education Minister
Lawmakers remain divided as Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva is expected to be the government's proposal to take over as Education Minister.
Last week Prime Minister Boyko Borisov asked incumbent Todor Tanev to step down, citing "recurring problems at the ministry and the sector."
Council of Europe 'Could End' Post-Monitoring Dialogue with Bulgaria
The Council of Europe might choose to drop the post-monitoring dialogue with Bulgaria on the observation of human rights, the newly elected head of CoE's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has said.
In his first press briefing after the election, Pedro Agramunt said he would "closely follow" the issue, according to the Bulgarian National Radio.
Italy's Saipem Takes Gazprom to Court over South Stream Demise
Saipem, the Italian pipe-laying company that was to take part in the construction of South Stream, has filed an arbitration claim against Gazprom, a Russian business daily reports citing court documents.
The EUR 759 M claim has been lodged with Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, RBC writes, adding the claim was submitted in November of last year.
New Vignette Stickers Needed by Drivers in Bulgaria as of Monday
The 2015 vignette stickers for vehicles are no longer valid in Bulgaria as of Monday, February 01, authorities say.
Vignette stickers are mandatory for drivers using Bulgaria's motorways. They can be puchased from gas stations, post offices, retail chains, border crossings, and elsewhere.
Bulgarian President Embarks on Five-Day Official Visit to Brazil, Argentina
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev will be on a five-day official visit to Brazil and Argentina from Monday to Friday.
Der Spiegel: Bulgaria's Peevski, Iceberg of Corruption
Like nobody else in Bulgaria MP Delyan Peevski "embodies the oligarchic system of clientelism," Der Spiegel says in a recent article.
Peevski is "the most flamboyant" Bulgarian politician, with supporters calling him "a child prodigy" and critics tying his success to close relations with the "political mafia," Der Spiegel writes [DE].