Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgaria Parliament Approves Lifting North Macedonia Blockade
Just two days after the ousting of PM Kiril Petkov in a no-confidence vote, Bulgarian legislators on Friday adopted a declaration which would allow their government to potentially lift its veto on starting EU membership talks for neighbouring North Macedonia.
Bulgaria lifts the veto on North Macedonia
The Assembly of Bulgaria discussed today the decision accepting the proposal of the French Presidency of the EU regarding the negotiating framework for North Macedonia and Albania.
Petkov’s Fall Puts Bulgaria’s pro-European Mainstream to the Test
Regardless of how the dispute with neighbour North Macedonia ends - an issue that divided the coalition - the political confrontation will only deepen.
Bulgarian MFA: We Expect the Albanian PM to Express Himself as a Politician from an EU Candidate Country
"Bulgaria has always been among those countries of the European Union that support the European affiliation of the Albanian people". This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a position on the occasion of yesterday's speech by the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Kiril Petkov Admitted that Bulgaria is Sending Aid to Ukraine through Poland
"Bulgaria sends aid to Ukraine through Poland". In practice, the resigned Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov admitted this in an interview with the Guardian, given before the no-confidence vote this Wednesday.
His statement comes after a question about how Bulgaria's position on the war will change if it fails to form a new coalition.
"This is your European Duty": Macron urges Bulgaria to Support the Veto Compromise on North Macedonia
On Thursday night, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Bulgarian politicians "from across the political spectrum" to support a compromise proposed by France that would allow the lifting of Bulgaria's veto over the start of membership talks with North Macedonia.
COVID-19 in Bulgaria: 320 New Cases in the Last 24 hours
During the last 24 hours, 320 new cases of coronavirus were registered in Bulgaria from 3135 tests performed (slightly more than 10 percent positive). The dead for the same period are three, all of whom were not vaccinated, according to data in the Unified Information Portal.
Western Balkans Leaders Voice Frustration over EU Summit Failure
Three Western Balkans leaders expressed displease over the poor outcome of the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.
First Cases of Monkeypox in Bulgaria
As of June 23, 2022, two cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Bulgaria. The patients are men aged 41 and 44, respectively. Both are hospitalized in hospitals in the capital and are in good general condition. Laboratory samples sent by medical institutions were confirmed at the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases by specific real-time PCR analyzes.
Borrell Disappointed with the ongoing Veto on North Macedonia
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is disappointed that Bulgaria continues to block talks with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM).
Moscow: Sofia's Refusal of the New Payment System leads to more Expensive Gas
"Bulgaria's refusal of the new gas payment system proposed by Russia will inevitably lead to higher prices for end-users". This was stated in an interview with TASS by Yuri Phillipson, director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Media: Bulgaria may Lose Millions and Not Join the Eurozone
Prime Minister Kirill Petkov blamed the mafia and Russia for the fall of his reformist government, foreign media reported after the first successful no-confidence vote in Bulgaria, which toppled the cabinet yesterday.
The "French" Proposal Shook the Macedonian Government, Kovachevski Hardened his Tone
The French presidency's proposal to resolve the dispute shook the Macedonian government after three small parties threatened to leave if the cabinet approved a draft sent to the Bulgarian parliament to end the dispute between Skopje and Sofia.
Bulgaria: No More Money for Employers who Hired Ukrainian Citizens
Employers in Bulgaria, who hired Ukrainian refugees, are facing a new big problem. Surprisingly, some companies have been notified that from July 1 they will no longer receive financial assistance from the state for the employed Ukrainian citizens. The money for hired foreign employees is stopped. What will happen to working Ukrainian refugees?
Bulgaria is Not Expected to Lift its Veto on North Macedonia at the EU Summit
At the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels and at the meeting of European leaders after that, no concrete proposal is expected from Bulgaria to lift its veto on North Macedonia.