Georgi Gotev
Kazakhstan suggests hosting OSCE forum to bolster global security
The president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has warned of a risk to post-World War II order and proposed that his country host a conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2020 with the purpose of “updating” the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the then CSCE.
US warns Hungary and neighbours against Turkish Stream
The US has repeatedly taken position against Nord Stream 2, a Russia-sponsored pipeline planned to bring gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. But this time Washington took position against another such pipeline, bringing Russian gas under the Black Sea.
South-East Europe needs zero-priced capital to boost growth
The region of former Yugoslavia and Albania has long ago been swallowed up by the EU. Yet, it is doomed to permanent marginalisation unless the EU does not open its structural and cohesion funds, or provide other source of zero-priced capital, writes Dušan Reljić.
Wanted former Macedonian PM seeking asylum in Hungary
Macedonia's former prime minister Nikola Gruevski, who has been sentenced to jail for abuse of power, said on Tuesday (13 November) he was in Hungary where he has requested political asylum.
Commission lauds Bulgaria, castigates Romania on judicial reform
The European Commission published on Tuesday (13 November) reports on Bulgaria and Romania under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), commending Bulgaria for progress made and lambasting Romania for backtracking. Both countries, however, were warned to uphold media freedom.
ECB to assess six Bulgarian banks as step towards Banking Union membership
European Central Bank (ECB) will conduct a comprehensive assessment of six Bulgarian banks as part of the Balkan country's bid to join the European Union's banking union, Bulgaria's central bank said on Monday (12 November).
Stoltenberg opposes EU defence duplicating NATO, Putin likes the idea
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Europe against undermining transatlantic ties, following a defence spat between US President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron.
Six EU countries – and counting – back out from the global migration pact
Bulgaria has become the sixth EU country after Hungary, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Croatia to signal that it will not sign the global migration agreement at a ceremony in Morocco in December.
Romanian Europe minister resigns on cusp of EU stint
Romania's Minister for foreign affairs Victor Negrescu has resigned just weeks before the country takes on the EU's six-month rotating presidency in January, media reported Saturday (10 November).
Greek banks’ foul play suspected in Bulgaria
A Greek bank bought the Bulgarian subsidiary of another Greek bank on Wednesday (7 November). The deal seems totally at odds with the terms of Greece’s bailout deal, but not only that.
EU expects ‘business as usual’ following US mid-term election
It would be wrong to expect policy change from US President Donald Trump after mid-term elections, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday (7 November).
The ‘Orthodox Four’ aim at hosting FIFA world cup in 2030
Bulgaria will take part in a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Friday (2 November), together with Serbia, Greece and Romania, a format dubbed by diplomats and journalists “the Orthodox Four”.
Netanyahu lashes at ‘hostile’ EU, but finds friends on Bulgaria trip
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the EU's "hypocritical and hostile attitude" on Thursday (1 November) as he left for talks with four eastern European leaders in Bulgaria.
Commission regrets Austria’s decision not to sign the global migration pact
Austria will follow the United States and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration over concerns that it will blur the line between legal and illegal migration, the right-wing government told media on Wednesday (31 October). The EU Commission regretted the decision.
Conte tells Italian rebel village he is unable to stop TAP pipeline
In an open letter of the to a rebel municipality where the TAP pipeline is expected to come on shore, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte explains at length why he cannot stop the project.
US representative for Syria: We’re not going to put this country back together
James F. Jeffrey, Special Representative for Syria engagement in the US Department of State, answered on Tuesday (30 October) the questions of a small group of Brussels journalists about the state of play in and around Syria.
Thousands obtained EU citizenship for €5000 in Bulgarian scam
Bulgarian prosecutors said Monday (29 October) they have broken up a scam run by state officials which had enabled thousands of foreigners to obtain Bulgarian passports for cash -- and with them visa-free travel across the EU.
Publisher denounces pressure on few remaining free media in Bulgaria
The publisher of two Bulgarian newspapers, Ivo Prokopiev, has asked that an international prosecutor or international observers get involved in the recently launched investigations involving his businesses, Bulgarian media reported on Monday (29 October).
Jourova: EU expects Romania to manage its presidency without hiccups
Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová made it clear today (26 October) that the EU is worried about government attempts in Bucharest to violate the independence of the judiciary, also in the perspective of the upcoming Romanian EU Presidency.
Macron, Trump confer ahead of Istanbul Syria summit with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone Thursday (25 October) with US counterpart Donald Trump about strategy ahead of a four-way summit on Syria in Istanbul this weekend, the Élysée palace said.
MEPs send message to Russia by giving Sakharov prize to Sentsov
The European Parliament awarded on Thursday (25 October) the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize to Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who has been jailed by Russia.
Bolton tests the Caucasus waters ‘to advance American interests’
The Assistant to US President for National Security Affairs John Bolton arrived in Azerbaijan on Wednesday (24 October), as part of a tour which will also take him to Armenia and Georgia, in an effort described by commentators as an attempt to isolate Iran.
NATO in mock defence of Norway against Russian attack
NATO’s largest exercise since the end of the Cold War will focus on the mock defence of Norway. "Trident Juncture" starts on Thursday (25 October) and involves 50,000 military personnel from 31 countries – the 29 NATO members plus Sweden and Finland.