Tomislav Donchev

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is leaving for a visit to Greece today. Reports Bgnes. 

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and Minister of Energy Temenujka Petkova held a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria Iri Lilian in the framework of the energy security strategy for supply and diversification of gas sources and routes, the government's press service said, quoted by BGNES.

Investigators have questioned Lilyana Pavlova, Minister of Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency, as a witness, the Bulgarian National Television reported, quoted by inews.bg.

She was questioned in connection with the charges against Miroslav Borshoch, former manager of the National Palace of Culture (NDK).

Until recently, Minister Pavlova was the principal of NDK.

Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev was interrogated by the Prosecutor's Оffice about the National Palace of Culture (NDK), the spokesman of the Prosecutor's office General Rumyana Arnaudova said.

Donchev was the head of the National Palace of Culture in the previous government of GERB.

The traditional annual meeting of the ambassadors to Bulgaria is taking place in Sofia as of today until 21 July, reported BGNES.

The conference this year is focusing on the tasks facing the diplomatic service, connected with the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2018.

Mary Warlick, acting as Special Envoy and US State Department Coordinator for International Energy Issues discussed in Sofia with Vice-premiers Tomislav Donchev and Ekaterina Zaharieva Bulgaria's efforts for the building of infrastructure connecting this country's gas transfer grid to those of neighboring states, reported BNR.

Three ministers - Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, EU Council Chairmanship Minister Lilyana Pavlova and Minister of Culture Boil Banov will be "questioned" today in parliament.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev stated in parliament that Bulgaria was doing an excellent job during the current EU programming period, reported BNR.

The Bulgarian PM pointed out that at this time, the amounts negotiated under different EU operational programmes are double the sum during the previous programming period, and payments are up by one third.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's new cabinet, at its first meeting on Wednesday, nominated Mariya Gabriel, an MEP from the centre-right European People's Party, for the post of EU Commissioner.

Borissov's office said he had informed the President of the European Commission about the decision.

"The next Bulgarian EU Commissioner must be a woman. These are the expectations of the European Commission and the European Parliament. It will be good, if it is a EP member, this means experience in the European institutions", commented the Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev on BNR.