Latest News from Bulgaria
Obama 'Didn't Know' of US Talks with Bulgaria on Russia Overflight Ban
US President Barack Obama didn't know about State Department's move to ask Bulgaria and Greece to deny overflight permissions to Syria-bound Russian planes, Bloomberg says.
A piece on BloombergView reads that "there's disagreement inside the US government" on how to act to prevent Russian from flying combat missions a new air base inside Syria.
Bulgaria Had Negative Balance of Trade in 2014
The final figures on foreign trade for 2014, which were released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Friday, reveal that Bulgaria had a negative balance of trade with imports exceeding exports.
In 2014, the value of exported goods amounted to BGN 43.2 B, which represented a decrease of 0.7 % compared to 2013.
Bulgarian-German Drama Awarded at Montreal Film Festival
Dosieto Petrov (The Petrov File), a drama co-produced by Bulgaria and Germany, has grabbed one of the two Best Director awards at the Montreal Film Festival's 2015 edition.
Two Women Claim First Medals for Bulgaria at World Wrestling Championship
Two women claimed the first medals for Bulgaria at the World Wrestling Championship, which is taking place in Las Vegas.
Evelina Georgieva in the 55 kg weight class and Taybe Yusein in the 63 kg weight class won two bronze medals in the women's freestyle.
Bulgaria Gives Russia Explanation on Overflight Ban
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has said its officials met diplomats from the Russian Embassy to discuss Sofia's move to deny overflight to a Russian aircraft convoy on Tuesday.
Turkey Intercepts 712 Refugees Close to Border with Bulgaria
Turkish authorities intercepted on Wednesday 712 refugees headed for the EU in the northwestern province of Edirne near the border with Bulgaria.
The usual number of refugees intercepted in Edirne on a daily basis is 100-150, but the recent surge in their number was due to the announced plans of EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to relocate 160 000 people.
Bulgaria 'Agreed to Bar Russia from Overflying' - ex-CIA Official
Bulgaria agreed to stop allowing Russian aircraft flying to Syria into its airspace, a former CIA official has told CBS News.
In the words of former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell, the United States can respond to Russia's actions of strengthening its military presence in Syria by cutting off air routes it is using for shipments.
Bulgaria Businesses to Hold Nationwide Protest over Power Prices
Bulgarian employers' organizations are calling in a new protest to vent their anger at a hike in power prices for industrial consumers.
They will also insist on the resignation of Ivan Ivanov, the head of Bulgaria's energy regulator.
Romania Leads Balkans on Open Budget Index
Romania has scored surprisingly well in a new world ranking of countries concerning the transparency of their budget arrangements.
The open budget index of the International Budget Partnership, IBP, for 2015, ranks Balkan states very differently on the global scale.
In the 2015 index, Romania came in ninth place globally, with an index of 75 out of a maximum of 100.
DW: Why Do So Many Refugees Avoid Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is ranking among worst destinations for asylum seekers in a handbook, with some saying "xenophobia and Islamophobia are widespread", Deutsche Welle has noted.
In a text titled Why do so many refugees avoid Bulgaria?, Alexander Andreev and Tatiana Vaksberg have given several examples of this.
Bulgaria, Serbia PMs Discuss Migrant Crisis in Europe, Impact on Balkans
The prime ministers of Balkan neighbours Bulgaria and Serbia discussed the migration crisis in Europe and its implications for the region on Thursday, the Bulgarian government's press office announced.
Bulgaria's Overfly Ban on Syria-Bound Russian Cargo Planes 'Incomprehensible', Moscow Says
Bulgaria's ban on Syria-bound overflights of Russian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid will lead to an increase in the number of refugees from the war-torn country, Moscow said on Thursday.
"As far as the Bulgarian ban is concerned, the cargo was humanitarian aid for the Syrian people," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova said, according to TASS.
Bulgaria, Romania Need Political Decision to Join Schengen - EU Commission
The European Commission said on Thursday that Bulgaria and Romania both meet the criteria to join the European Union's Schengen passport-free travel zone but it is not up to the EU's executive body to take a decision.
EU Commission Adopts Bulgarian-Greek Cross Border Cooperation Programme
The European Commission (EC) adopted on Wednesday the cross border cooperation Interreg programme for Bulgaria and Greece for the 2014-2020 period.
The programme is worth EUR 129 M, with more than EUR 110 M provided from the European Regional Development Fund, the press service of EC informs.
Bulgaria Will Not Allow Airplanes Carrying Weapons to Syria - President
President Rosen Plevneliev assured on Thursday that Bulgaria will not allow military cargo airplanes carrying weapons to Syria to fly over its territory.
Plevneliev added that if Russia is honest with its partners and abides by the rules, its airplanes will be allowed to fly above Bulgaria.