Forms of government

Bruce Berton, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Sofia, has claimed that Bulgaria is plagued by crisis-level corruption which takes its toll on all citizens.

Berton spoke to representatives of Bulgaria's judiciary on the occasion of the International Anticorruption Day, which is observed annually on December 9.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) is to stage a protest against the planned increase in the retirement age and the low incomes.

The Podkrepa Labor Confederation will not attend Thursday's rally, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Television.

BELGRADE - The EU Delegation to Serbia has awarded twenty-two new grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) in the country.

Projects funded by the grants totaling EUR 2,4 million will contribute to the fight against corruption by increasing transparency in the public sector and providing support to people and groups most exposed to discrimination.

In the period January - October 2014,Bulgaria's exports to third countries decreased by 7.1% on the year, reaching BGN 13.5 B, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

...

Serbia government is due to discuss the 2015 budget proposal on Wednesday, while parliament should adopt the bill by December 15.

...

"Serbia can be compensated for some losses"

BELGRADE -- Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Chepurin said on Tuesday it is possible to compensate Serbia for some of the losses resulting from the abandonment of South Stream.

In 2015 the Bulgarian state would cost each Bulgarian citizen BGN 4579, plus a debt of BGN 3418, shows a calculation of the Institute for Market Economy, based on the draft state budget.

Largest share of the expenses is held by pensions and social payments - BGN 1577, followed by transport, communications and agriculture - BGN 649 and health care - BGN 542.

Bulgaria's Regional Development Ministry plans to halve investment in infrastructure in 2015 to a rate of around BGN 2 B, according to Minister Lilyana Pavlova.

...

Fifteen Bosnian Serbs arrested on suspicion of seizing 20 passengers from a train in the Bosnian town of Strpci in 1993 and killing them have been remanded in custody for a month.

BELGRADE - In Serbia, most children without parental care live in foster families, with fewer than 1,000 boys and girls living in relevant institutions, which makes Serbia the best in Europe in this regard, Serbian Minister of Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin said on Monday.