About: Bulgaria
Democracy ‘loses currency’ in Europe, warns Freedom House
In its latest report published on Wednesday (28 April) the NGO Freedom House warns of an "antidemocratic turn" throughout Europe, “fuelling a deterioration in human freedom with global implications”.
Bulgaria investigates four arms depot blasts for Russian covert action
The Bulgarian prosecution announced on Wednesday (28 April) it suspects sabotage carried out by Russian intelligence as the probable reason behind four blasts in Bulgarian military depots. The blasts appear similar to the one in the Czech Republic, which recently led to a major diplomatic scandal with Russia.
Bellingcat connects the dots between Czech explosion and Bulgaria poisoning
Vladimir Putin dismissed as "absurd" Prague's accusations against Moscow after Czech authorities accused the Russian secret services of being behind a deadly arms depot blast in 2014. But the investigative website Bellingcat connected the dots back to Russia.
Vaccine doses pass one billion mark globally, but many nations lag behind
The number of Covid-19 jabs administered globally surpassed the one billion mark on Saturday (24 April), offering hope even as the number of virus cases worldwide hit a new daily record mainly due to an explosion of infections in India.
Small EU countries had more COVID-related deaths per million since pandemic started
While the EU's most populous countries are recording the most overall COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria had the highest number of COVID-19-related deaths in relation to their populations during the same period. EURACTIV France reports.
Russia expels two Bulgarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move
Russia's foreign ministry on Tuesday (20 April) said it had expelled two Bulgarian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after Sofia kicked out two Russian diplomats over a suspected spy network.
Czechs say Russian retaliation stronger than expected, seeks EU solidarity
The Czech Republic said on Monday (19 April) Russia's eviction of 20 Czech embassy employees in response to Prague's expulsion of 18 Russian staff was a stronger than expected reaction and the government would consider further steps.
Bulgaria must allow baby of same-sex couple to travel: EU adviser
Bulgaria must find a way to allow the stateless baby of a same-sex couple from Bulgaria and Gibraltar to travel, a legal adviser of EU's top court said Thursday (15 April).
Michel silent over unofficial document mulling border changes in Western Balkans
A phantom document proposing controversial border changes across the Western Balkans caused a political storm in the region and in Brussels this week. While most EU officials had little knowledge of the elusive document, the office of European Council President Charles Michel could not deny receiving it. EURACTIV took a closer look
Pesticide with EU-banned substance still widely used in Bulgarian agriculture
EURACTIV Bulgaria’s investigative journalist Valia Ahchieva depicts in her latest production on YouTube a sad reality: a plant protection product called Mocap containing an EU-banned active ingredient is not only being used but also subsidised by Bulgaria's ministry of agriculture.
Cypriot says business ‘stolen’ in Bulgaria, hopes EPPO will investigate
Stealing a successful business in Bulgaria is commonplace, although this mafia-like practice is little documented. A Cypriot businessman has told his story to EURACTIV, hoping that the Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) would investigate further.
The EverGiven effect and the ‘controlled vote’ in Bulgaria
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the EverGiven cargo ship blocking Egypt’s Suez Canal for nearly one week, the impact this had on transport and the economy before it was freed on Monday.
Cyprus wins EU protection for halloumi cheese
Halloumi, a traditional Cypriot cheese known as Hellim in Turkish, is to be entered to the EU's register of protected designations of origin, a move intended to promote unity on the divided island.
Poland, others step up push for gas in EU green finance rules: document
Poland, Bulgaria and seven other countries have stepped up their push to ensure natural gas is classed as a sustainable investment under EU finance rules, warning Brussels its latest proposal falls short, a document seen by Reuters showed.
EU dangles carrots for Turkey if ‘de-escalation sustained’
European Union leaders are ready to boost cooperation with Turkey if a "current de-escalation is sustained", they said in a video summit on Thursday (25 March) following a spike in tensions.
MEPs pressure Bulgaria to lift North Macedonia accession veto
MEPs put pressure on Bulgaria on Thursday (25 March) to lift its veto on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia but failed to pass an amendment criticizing the Bulgarian position.
Bulgaria claims to have broken up Russian spy ring
The Bulgarian prosecutor's office announced on Friday (19 March) that it had broken up a Russian spy ring which includes officials of Bulgaria's defence ministry and its intelligence services, after an extensive police and counter-intelligence operation in and around Sofia.
How carbon pricing is driving the renovation of Czech homes
Like other European countries, the Czech Republic’s buildings are in need of renovation. Unlike others, it partly funds renovation programmes with revenues generated from the emission trading scheme (ETS), an experiment that could be replicated across the EU.
Eyeing EU stimulus, Bulgarian parties pledge green transformation
Bulgarian political parties are showing an uncharacteristic interest in green policies ahead of elections on April 4, not least because the country is one of the largest per capita beneficiaries of EU funds and is now required to invest in climate and environmental issues.
Bulgaria suspends AstraZeneca vaccine use
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Friday (12 March) suspended use of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, following similar steps in Denmark, Iceland and Norway over safety concerns.
Watchdog warns of ‘dire press situation’ ahead of Bulgarian elections
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Wednesday (10 March) published 10 recommendations to address what they called “the dire press freedom situation in Bulgaria”, ahead of elections early next month.
‘Clumsy’ resolution risks alienating EU from Kazakhstan, MEP says
The European Parliament's recent resolution on Kazakhstan is "clumsy" and detrimental both for the bilateral relations and the credibility of the EU, Bulgarian MEP Ivo Hristov (S&D) told EURACTIV on Wednesday (3 March).
Bulgaria accuses AstraZeneca of taking country’s vaccine ‘hope’ away
Bulgaria's health minister has accused AstraZeneca of failing to stick to its delivery schedule of COVID-19 vaccines to the country and demanded the immediate shipment of at least 52,800 doses that were postponed to 1 March.