Latest News from Bulgaria

Bulgaria PM: Revenues Could Be Up BGN 1 B in 2015

The state budget for 2015 will include up to BGN 1 B more in revenues compared to the previous year, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has told participants in a meeting between government officials and business representatives.

Prosecution Appears to Keep Political, Economic Umbrella over Certain People - Deputy Minister

Bulgaria's Deputy Justice Minister Petko Petkov has suggested that the country needs to have an efficient prosecuting authority before it can have efficient courts.

In a Tuesday interview for the morning broadcast of bTV, he noted that there were suspicions that the prosecuting authority was keeping a political or economic umbrella over certain people.

US Sensata Constructs Second Manufacturing Plant in Bulgaria

The US company Sensata, which is a leading supplier of sensors and controls, is constructing its second manufacturing plant in Bulgaria.

The mayor of Maritsa municipality Dimitar Ivanov explained that the first stage of the plant will become operational in June and will employ 1500 people, the news website Dnevnik reports.

Government, Business Meet to Discuss Bulgaria's Economic Growth

Representatives of the Bulgarian government and business gather at their ninth annual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the restoration of the country on the path of economic growth.

This year more than 250 executive directors of the largest firms in Bulgaria as well as foreign investors have confirmed their participation at the conference, electronic daily Dnevnik reports.

Tsvetana Pironkova Defeats Heather Watson in Australian Open First Round

Bulgaria's No.1 female tennis player Tsvetana Pironkova defeated British number one Heather Watson 6:4, 6:0 in the first round of Australian Open on Tuesday.

Pironkova took 83 minutes to edge her way into the second round of the tournament, according to reports of dnevnik.bg.

Govt, Environmentalists Can Reach Joint Decisions on Ski Tourism - Minister

Bulgaria' Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova has insisted that the government and environmentalists can reach joint decisions on ski tourism development.

In a Monday interview for the Bulgarian National Television, she underscored that a decision that had been reached through dialogue was certain to be the right one.

Bulgaria Continues to Back Russia Sanctions despite Disadvantages for Exporters

Although Bulgarian exporters are seriously injured by the sanctions on Russia, the country will not back away from its current stance and will seek new markets, according to Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski.

Bulgaria's Economy Minister met Monday with Ukraine's Ambassador to Bulgaria Mykola Baltazhy.

Protecting EU's External Border Boosts Bulgaria's Chances of Joining Schengen - Minister

The need for enhanced protection of the EU's external borders increases Bulgaria's chances of joining the Schengen Agreement, according to Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov.

Speaking after a summit of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Mitov made clear that Bulgaria would most probably seek EU aid to cope with the influx of refugees and migrants.

Rifles Used in Charlie Hebdo Attacks 'Could Be from Bulgaria or Romania'

The assault rifles used by the Kouachi brothers, who killed 12 people in an attack on Chalie Hebdo's offices in Paris, could have come from Bulgaria and Romania, media reports suggest.

Cherif and Said Kouachi used the AKS-74 Kalashnikov, which have been produced only by these two countries since 1989.

Bulgaria to Provide BGN 1.1 M for Hosting U-17 Euro in 2015

Bulgaria's Minister of Youth and Sports Krasen Kralev announced that the state will provide BGN 1.1 M for hosting the UEFA European U-17 Championship in 2015.

Kralev said that the programme has been approved and a contract will be signed soon, the news website Dnevnik reports.

Expected Losses under EU Environment Program 'Ten Times Less' Under Current Gov't

Bulgaria runs the risk of having just EUR 22 M under Operational Program Environment locked for 2014, compared to EUR 205 M in the previous year, the country's Environment Minister has said.

Ivelina Vasileva told reporters on Monday Sofia was putting in effort to speed up absorption procedures and to avoid all corrections.

Bulgaria Records 20 % Drop in Foreign Direct Investment

The foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bulgaria in the period January - November 2014 are lagging behind with 20 % compared with the same period for 2013.

According to the preliminary data of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), FDI amounts to EUR 1.224 B for the period.

The investments increased during the first quarter of 2014, but dipped sharply in the second quarter.

Serbian Armed Forces in Platinum Lion exercise in Bulgaria

SOFIA/BELGRADE - Serbian Armed Forces troops are participating in the Platinum Lion military exercise in Bulgaria alongside US, Bulgarian and Romanian colleagues.

The exercise, held from January 12 through 23 at the Novo Selo training range, involves 30 Serbian Armed Forces troops, as well as over 300 members of the US, Bulgarian and Romanian armed forces.

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