Rumen Radev

n the coming days, the movement in the central part of the capital will be a real challenge. The reason is the official opening of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The ceremony for the official opening of the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU in Sofia will take place on Thursday (January 11th) in the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will officially begin today with a ceremony in the National Theater.

It will be accompanied by several big protests - the policemen, the eco-activists and the defenders of Bansko ski zone will protest in the capital. 

Bulgaria's President, Rumen Radev, convened the Consultative Council for National Security (KSNS) on January 9th.

The topic was "The Role of Bulgaria for the Development of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU in the Context of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2018 ".

Authentic folklore songs and pieces, old church chants, folk dances and folkloric rhythm with modern sound will be part of the opening ceremony for the Bulgarian EU presidency at the National Theatre on January 11, the Ministry for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2018 said.

Today, President Rumen Radev convenes the Consultative Council for National Security, BGNES reported.

The topic to be discussed by senior politicians and statesmen is "The Role of the Republic of Bulgaria for the Development of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) in the Context of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2018".

In the coming days, the movement in the central part of the capital will be a real challenge. The reason is the official opening of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The ceremony for the official opening of the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU in Sofia will take place on Thursday (January 11th) in the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Tuesday vetoed anti-graft legislation passed by parliament in December, saying the bill would not allow the efficient investigation of corruption networks, writes Reuters. 

President Rumen Radev returned the Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Assets Bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration, the presidential press office said.

According to the head of state, the measures envisaged in the adopted bill, though necessary, are not sufficient to effectively counteract corruption.

President Rumen Radev welcomed the change in the approach and the abolition of the ban on payment of certain medicines from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) budget in 2018.

The Head of State calls on all parliamentary groups to continue to consider ethical considerations and to act in the interests of constitutional citizens' rights and social justice.

 Bulgaria's parliament on Wednesday (20 December) passed a law aimed at improving its fight against high-level corruption, a move long sought by the EU just days before the country takes over the bloc's rotating presidency, EurActiv reported.