Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov Gets Off to a Difficult Start in Rotterdam
Bulgaria's top male tennis player Grigor Dimitrov had difficulties in the opening round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Monday.
Dimitrov won against Paul-Henri Mathieu from France with 4:6, 7:6 (2), 6:2 in a match that lasted slightly over two hours, daily Dnevnik reports.
New Bulgarian-Language Book about Morocco Seeks to Boost Tourism, Bilateral Ties
A book containing seventeen stories of Bulgarian journalists and writers who traveled to Morocco was presented in Sofia on Monday.
Bulgarian President: EU Energy Union to Deepen Integration
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said on Monday that the establishment of an EU Energy Union will bring the level of European political and economic integration to a new level.
Plevneliev stated this during his meeting with European Commission's Vice-President Maros Sefcovic and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete, the presidential press service reports.
Bulgaria Issues Fast-Track Visas to Co-nationals in Southeastern Ukraine
The Bulgarian embassy to Kiev and the consulate in Odessa have received instructions to issue fast-track visas to ethnic Bulgarians, whose lives are in danger.
The information was confirmed by Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov, daily Dnevnik reports.
Bulgaria has also prepared a consignment of humanitarian aid to its fellow nationals in Southeastern Ukraine.
Proposed Gas Hub in Bulgaria to Cost EUR 2.2 B, PM Borisov Says
Building a gas distribution centre in Bulgaria to serve South Eastern Europe and the EU would cost EUR 2.2 B, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said on Monday.
Addressing the first meeting of the high-level group on the construction of gas links in Central and South Eastern Europe, Borisov said that Bulgaria is offering a number of advantages that make it suitable for becoming a gas hub.
Sofia Appellate Court Upholds 4-Year Prison Term for Ex Interior Minister
The Sofia Appellate Court has upheld the 4-year prison term of former Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov over the blocked wiretapping motions.
BBLF Raises BGN 36,000 to Fight Breast Cancer and Child Abandonment
The Seventh Annual Ball of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) raised a record BGN 36,000 to support the prevention of breast cancer and child abandonment.
Half of the raised funds will benefit a breast cancer screening project, implemented by Sofia Municipality in cooperation with four Sofia hospitals that will cover women working in education in Bulgaria's capital
Makaza Border Crossing Point May Be Expanded by 2 Truck Lanes
The Makaza border crossing point may be expanded by two truck lanes, one in each direction, according to Bulgarian Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova.
Speaking Monday in Kardzhali, she made clear that the procedure would take at least 6-8 months.
Port Ruse Launches Regular Block Train Route Bulgaria-Germany
Port Complex Ruse EAD will operate a regular block train line between Bulgaria and Germany, according to a media statement of Bulgaria's Transport Ministry.
The pilot project envisages intermodal road-rail combined transport.
The block train has a capacity of 68 trailers and will make one round trip per week.
Croatia Prepares to Inaugurate New President
Grabar Kitarovic will be sworn in as president on Sunday on the St Mark's Square in Zagreb, where the Croatian government, parliament and constitutional court are located.
The candidate of the opposition centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, Grabar Kitarovic won the presidential elections in January, defeating the incumbent Ivo Josipovic.
Bulgaria's Construction Sector Registers 2.3% Increase Y/Y in Dec 2014
Bulgaria's construction sector registered 2.3% year-on-year growth in December 2014, according to preliminary working day adjusted data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
The index of production in the construction sector, calculated on the basis of seasonally adjusted data, fell by 0.3% on the month in December 2014.
DefMin Dusa: I wish NFIU command to be operational by June
Romanian National Defence Minister Mircea Dusa announced in Cluj-Napoca (northwest of the capital) on Monday that he wished NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) to be operational by June.
Photo credit: (c) Liviu Sova / AGERPRES ARCHIVE
PM Borisov: Bulgaria Has Potential to Become Gas Distribution Center
Bulgaria is one of the most intensely interested EU countries in guaranteeing the security of energy supplies and achieving energy diversification, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
Bulgaria's Exports to EU Up 2.1% Y/Y in Jan-Nov 2014
In the period January-November 2014, Bulgaria's exports to the EU amounted to BGN 24.9 B, up by 2.1% from the same period of 2013, according to data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
Bulgaria's main trade partners were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, France, and Belgium, which accounted for 71.0% of the exports to EU Member States.
Sofia Hosts Energy Diversification Talks
High-level negotiations on the possibility of building a gas hub in Bulgaria will be held on Monday, part of a initiative organized by Bulgarian PM Boiko Borisov. EU Commission Vice-President Maro? ?ef?ovi?, and European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete are expected to take part in the discussions to be held in Boyana.