Bulgaria

"Until now, Bulgaria has benefited very little from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RSP). The last tranche is from December 2022 and is 2.7 billion, in the following two years we have not received any money - to date, this is the first and last tranche for our country".

Tensions flared among former coalition partners as they debated the impact of their governance on Bulgaria's demographic crisis. Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, pointed to National Statistical Institute (NSI) data suggesting a correlation between governance and the birth rate.

Bulgaria faces mounting uncertainties regarding its preparedness to receive the first batch of F-16 Block 70 aircraft, with retired Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev highlighting significant infrastructure challenges in an interview shared on Facebook, as reported by "Focus."

Bulgaria commemorated a significant milestone on Friday as it celebrated 20 years of NATO membership, a testament to its enduring commitment to international security and cooperation. On March 29, 2004, Bulgaria, alongside several other nations, officially joined the NATO alliance, solidifying its position as a key player in the global defense landscape.

Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport check points for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen open-travel zone.

A Bulgarian cruise ship collided with a concrete wall in a sluice on the River Danube in the northern Austrian town of Aschach an der Donau, leaving eleven people injured. The incident, which occurred overnight, has sparked concern and prompted a large-scale rescue operation.

In a statement that underscores the United States' keen interest in Bulgaria's political landscape, US Ambassador Kenneth Merten expressed disappointment at the failure of negotiations to form a government in the country. Ambassador Merten's remarks come amid ongoing discussions among Bulgarian political factions aimed at resolving the deadlock and establishing a functioning administration.

Defense Chief Admiral Emil Eftimov has urged for a significant increase in defense spending, advocating for a budget allocation of 2.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Eftimov stressed that this measure is essential to bridge the gap in defense investments and ensure Bulgaria's security in the face of evolving global and regional challenges.

In a decisive move, the Bulgarian Parliament has approved a measure to bolster security at all centers for migrants and refugees under the jurisdiction of the State Agency for Refugees. The decision, reached in the second reading, signifies a concerted effort to enhance safety and stability amidst growing concerns over incidents involving foreign citizens.

In commemoration of Bulgaria's 20th anniversary as a member of NATO, the Ministry of Defence has announced open days at military formations across the country. The press centre of the Ministry revealed that the Land Forces will be hosting these events on March 28 and 29, inviting the public to explore and engage with Bulgaria's military heritage.