International relations

Greece wants to strengthen maritime cooperation with China, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggesting that the Mediterranean nation could serve as a regional hub for the support of Beijing’s commercial and military vessels.

Greece’s public water companies, which had been slated to be privatized, will remain under state control, in line with a recent decision by the Council of State, it was decided on Monday during talks between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, his coalition partner Evangelos Venizelos and two key ministers.

Bulgarian Finance Minister Petar Chobanov said the state could allocate BGN 225 M (EUR 112.5) to cover deficits at the national health fund NZOK.

Four Bulgarian nationals have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip, Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The Bulgarians contacted the embassy in Tel Aviv and the diplomatic office in Ramallah, which organized their evacuation on July 13.

Troika officials are due to meet Greece’s Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis on Monday to discuss the liberalization of the energy market.

The talks come in the wake of Greece passing a law last week allowing the sale of almost a third of its state energy monopoly, the Public Power Corporation.

Greece and China agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership during a meeting between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Rhodes on Sunday.

"The Chinese side will continue to support Greece on sovereign debt issues and efforts to promote economic recovery,» said the Chinese president.

 Creditors said to be mulling idea of lightening load in installments as PM seeks to hasten presidential polls

Boris Popov, director of the VIP terminal of Sofia Airport was sacked, reports Nova TV national channel. 

The motives for the sacking are unclear, as attempts to get in touch with the airport management were unsuccessful. 

 Recent study finds that more than 410 groups and initiatives are operating in Greece

By Ioanna Fotiadi

The international rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) downgraded on Friday the rating of Bulgaria's third largest telecom Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (Vivacom). 

According to S&P's official statement, quoted by Dnevnik.bg, the reason for this is the connection of Vivacom with the bankrupt Corporate Commercial Bank (KTB).