About: Bulgaria
Bulgaria to launch joint application to euro waiting room and Banking union
Bulgaria will seek to join both the eurozone’s waiting room and the bloc’s banking union within a year, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said on Tuesday (12 June).
Three presidents inaugurate TANAP pipeline in Turkey
The presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia will inaugurate today (12 June) the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), a key section of Europe's long-delayed Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), according to announcements made in the three country's media.
EU rule of law generally good but clouds on the horizon
EU citizens generally think that judicial independence is going from strength-to-strength but in some countries, like newest member Croatia, the situation is still poor and even declining, according to the EU’s latest justice scoreboard.
As expected, Vestager lets Gazprom off the hook
The EU's antitrust regulators have ended their investigation into Gazprom without imposing any fines, the Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday (24 May). The Russian gas giant welcomed the EU's decision and promised to reform.
Neftohim refinery boss: Europe’s refining sector will consolidate, improve
The number of oil refineries in Europe is likely to decrease but those that remain will be truly competitive, highly technological and highly efficient, Ilshat Sharafutdinov told EURACTIV in an interview.
Commission to pour cold water on Bulgaria’s Eurozone ambition
Euro-hopeful Bulgaria does not yet meet the criteria to adopt the single currency, the European Commission will say today (23 May) in an assessment of European Union countries that must one day switch to the euro.
China says 16+1 summits are good for EU
Annual summits between China and central and eastern European countries are beneficial to the European Union as a whole, the Chinese government told Bulgaria's foreign minister, brushing off concerns that Beijing is seeking to divide the continent.
Bulgarian truckers protest against ‘Macron law’
Hundreds of truck drivers blocked roads across Bulgaria on Thursday (17 May) as European Union leaders met in Sofia, protesting against proposed EU rules they say would cost them their jobs and put their firms out of business.
Bulgaria PM plans to restart second atomic power project
Six years after freezing the construction of a second nuclear power plant, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Saturday (12 May) he intends to restart the project. Chinese investors have already expressed interest.
Commission to announce peace deal with Gazprom by next week
EU regulators will settle their antitrust case with Gazprom by next week, people close to the matter said on Monday (14 May), after the Russian energy giant pledged to change its pricing structure and allow rivals a foothold in eastern Europe.
In Eastern Europe, ‘Immortal Regiment’ marches eclipse Europe Day
What is 9 May? For most in the EU, it’s Europe Day, in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the cornerstone of what is today the European Union. But in Eastern Europe, Russia has in recent years promoted a different kind of celebration, more in the vein of Cold War era parades.
Bulgaria dislikes Commission plan to link EU funding to rule of law
A major innovation in the next long-term EU budget proposed by the European Commission yesterday (2 May) is the conditionality between EU funding and the rule of law. But the country holding the EU Presidency voiced its own clear rejection.
Bulgaria’s Borissov unveils secret criteria for joining the eurozone
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said he apologises for revealing a secret, but that the Bulgarians should know about the main additional condition for the country’s accession to the eurozone.
Bulgaria is last on media freedom in EU and in the Balkans
Bulgaria, which currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, ranks last among all EU countries in terms of media freedom. It is also the worst in the Western Balkans, a region Sofia hopes to bring closer to the EU.
The EU should take a clear stand against anti-Roma hatred in Bulgaria
As Roma week 2018 comes to a close, Violeta Naydenova calls on the member governments and the Commission to use their influence to persuade the Bulgarian Presidency to increase their efforts against anti-Roma hatred in Bulgaria.
EU bans dual quality food after pressure from eastern members
The European Commission announced on Wednesday (11 April) it would prohibit dual quality food across the bloc, following complaints and pressure from Central and Eastern European (CEE) member states.
Erdogan vows to bring back Gülenists from abroad
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday (9 April) his country is determined to continue the fight against what he calls the terrorist movement of Fethullah Gülen and bring home all “traitors” from abroad.
Is Pirin a ‘paper park’? Holding Bulgaria to account for breaking EU nature laws
Pirin national park has become an example of the Bulgarian government's unwillingness to establish the rule of law. When all eyes in Europe are on Bulgaria because of its Presidency of the EU Council, we need to see a strong message from the EU, writes Veselina Kavrakova.
More social dumping comes to Europe through Bulgaria’s door
Although the EU member states recently reached an agreement to tighten posted worker controls, another door has been opened to social dumping, warn Vania Grigorova and Anastaska Todorova, representing two trade unions in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria reacts to disturbing statement by Turkey’s Erdogan
Bulgaria’s foreign ministry told Turkey on Tuesday (13 March) that internationally agreed borders cannot be changed, reacting to a statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said on Sunday the Bulgarian city of Kardzhali finds itself “in the spiritual boundaries of Turkey”.
Turkey jails 25 journalists as terrorists
An Istanbul court yesterday (8 March) sentenced 25 journalists to prison terms of up to seven and a half years over links to the group blamed by Turkey for the 2016 failed coup, in a mass trial of media staff detained after the putsch bid.
Bozhidar Danev: Part of Bulgaria’s fuel sector lies in the grey economy
Unusually low fuel prices in Bulgaria are probably the result of cartels, or contraband, Bozhidar Danev told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview, saying the authorities have so far been unable or unwilling to address the issue.
Putin, Borissov discuss energy projects, again
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed big energy projects with Russian participation in Bulgaria during a telephone conversation yesterday (5 March).