Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria Fully Compliant with EU Rules after South Stream Cancellation - Foreign Minister
Bulgaria ensured compliance with all EU rules after the suspension of the South Stream gas pipeline project, according to Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov.
Mitov's statement came in response to the signing of the Russian-Greek Memorandum of Understanding on the construction of the Turkish Stream pipeline.
Bulgaria's PM, Ministers, Discuss Power Rate Hike for Industrial Consumers
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has summoned a meeting of all ministers over the planned increase in electricity prices for industrial consumers as of July 1.
Sunday's meeting at the Council of Ministers building in Sofia is to also include energy experts, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Television.
Vasil Bozhkov Takes Over Bulgaria's CSKA Football Club Again
CSKA, until recently one of Bulgaria's top football teams, will be part of A Regional Football Group, businessman Vasil Bozhkov has said.
At a meeting with the official union of CSKA fans, Bozhkov reiterated that the team will not be part of the A Professional Football Group in the immediate future.
Bulgaria Power Price Hike 'Backed by Intl Business Unions'
Several business unions of international companies have moved to support Bulgarian energy watchdog KEVR's intention to increase electricity prices for industrial consumers, Capital Daily says.
This comes amid tensions between national business unions and the energy regulator as the latter is intending on rising industrial power prices in July.
Turkish Driver Dies after Colliding with Iranian Truck
A 74-year-old Turkish citizen has died after a frontal collision with an Iranian TIR truck in Southern Bulgaria, local authorities have said.
The Turkish man was reportedly driving in the opposite direction of the road between Sadovo and Cheshnegirovo, in the region of Plovdiv, when the crash occurred, according to BGNES newswire.
Fitch Reaffirms Bulgaria's Credit Rating at BBB- with Stable Outlook
Fitch Ratings on Friday affirmed Bulgaria's long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at BBB- and BBB, respectively.
Outlook for both ratings are stable, Fitch said in a statement. GDP growth is projected at 1.2% for 2015 and 1.5% for 2016 respectively, "below potential growth, which is estimated to be between 1.5%-2.0%).
EU Keen to Help Serbia Secure Gas Supply
Michael Davenport, head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, on Friday that he had not been able to clarify the Serbian Foreign Minister's claim that the EU was being "hypocritical towards Serbia" about the South Stream pipeline, because the EU wanted to bypass Serbia with the new pipeline project, called East Ring.
Russia Expresses Readiness to Renew Talks on Burgas-Alexandroupoli Pipeline
Russia expressed readiness to renew negotiations on the construction of the planned oil pipeline between the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Burgas and the Greek Aegean Sea port of Alexandroupoli.
This was announced by Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, TASS news agency informs.
Bulgaria's Environment Minister Calls for Imposing Stricter Fines on Oil Spills
Bulgarian Environment Minister Ivelina Vasileva called on Friday for tightening fines imposed on oil spills.
According to the Environmental Protection Act, the maximum fine, which could be imposed at present is BGN 100 000.
Vasileva intends to undertake a legislative initiative and increase the fine to at least BGN 500 000, Darik radio reports.
Sofia Isn't Short of Festival Options This Weekend
An art fest, a music fest, and a colors fest - here are three major events taking place in and around Sofia this weekend.
The Water Tower Art Fest, running June 20-28, kicks of at 18:00, Saturday, and will feature video projections, installations, an exhibition, performances at public spaces, and lots of experimental music.