European Commission

The European Commission said on Wednesday morning it had not received any notice from Sofia on the developments at border crossings between Bulgaria and Greece.

The European Union wants to examine the contracts which Gazprom has signed with European companies, amid suspicions that the Russian state energy giant has imposed unfair prices which breach the bloc's trading rules, a German newspaper reported.

Sofia is trying to benefit from Russia-Turkey tensions to restore relations with Moscow, an AFP analysis published by several media outlets reads.

The first session in years held by the Bulgarian-Russian economic cooperation committee, held last week in Sofia, is cited as "a sign of thawing relations".

The government is seeking alternative solutions to cover the fiscal gap worth 550 mln euros following creditors rejection of a previous proposal. Labor Minister George Katrougalos is meeting with lenders mission chiefs from the European Commission, European Central Bank, European Stability Mechanism and International Monetary Fund at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos is awaiting the response of creditors on Wednesday following his proposal for a tax rate hike for more than 50% for income in 2016.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria, a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International signed a guarantee agreement to increase lending to innovative SMEs and small mid-caps in Bulgaria.

The transaction benefits from the support of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which constitutes the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe.

Following a positive opinion by the Schengen evaluation committee on Friday, the College of Commissioners has today adopted the Schengen Evaluation Report on Greece and a proposal for a Council Recommendation on addressing the serious deficiencies identified in the evaluation report on the application of Schengen rules in the field of management of the external borders by Greece.

Monday marks the start of negotiations between the Greek government and “quartet” of lenders from the European Commission, European Central Bank, European Stability Mechanism and International Monetary Fund.

European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas confirmed on Friday that the representatives of the institutions will visit Athens on weekend.

As Mr. Schinas said, the discussion on the program review between the institutions and the Greek authorities will start next week.

Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas  expressed his concerns on those who have asked the temporary exit of Greece from Schengen area, even thought European Union has not officially stated anything like that.