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Bulgaria
President Radev Postpones Planned Visit to Baku
President Rumen Radev on Friday talked by phone with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in connection with a need to postpone his visit to Baku due to urgent domestic commitments, his press secretariat said on Friday. Radev and Aliyev discussed
20 years of Bulgaria in NATO Diplomatic Institute Head: NATO Membership Guarantees Bulgarian Citizens' Security, Prosperity
For 20 years now, Bulgaria's membership in NATO has been guaranteeing the security and prosperity of Bulgarian citizens, said Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
20 years of Bulgaria in NATO Credit Must Be Given to All Who Worked for Bulgaria’s Accession to NATO, Chief of Defence Eftimov Says
Attending the exhibition "75 years of NATO and 20 years of Bulgaria in NATO" at the national press club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Sofia on Friday, Bulgaria's Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov said that people should look back and give credit to all the politicians, statesmen and military men who have worked for the civilized choice of Bulgaria entering NATO, for ensuring its reliable protection in the current complex security environment. Speaking as Bulgaria’s Chief of Defence, he said that NATO membership is first and foremost about Bulgaria being a worthy ally.
The Weather on March 30-31
The weekend will have sunny and unseasonably warm weather, with highs reaching up to 30C in some parts.
Economy
Procedural Changes Regarding Checks of Cruise and Commercial Ships Arriving by Sea in Force from March 31
From 31 March, with the first full implementation of the Schengen acquis, there will be some procedural changes in the implementation of border checks of passengers arriving by sea on cruise ships, as well as in relation to commercial ships, said Chief Inspector Antonia Tomova from the Border Police in Burgas on Thursday.
Some 53% of Bulgarian Internet Users Shop Online, Survey Shows
Some 83% of Bulgarians are online users, of which 53% (over 2.8 million people) are shopping online, Bulgarian E-Commerce Association Board Chair Janet Naidenova said during a forum on responsible production and trade held on Thursday in Sofia. “In 2018-2019, online users were one-third of that figure. Then in 2020, the COVID pandemic gave a big boost to the digitalization of companies and e-commerce was the only channel for some goods and services,” she added.
Protesters in Sofia Demand Increase in State Funding for Emergency Medical Services
With a motorcade in the centre of Sofia on Thursday, protesters demanded an increase in state funding for emergency aid. The protest began in front of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). The organisers are from the Zashtita Trade Union. The protesters marched in front of the Council of Ministers, then in front of the presidency, as well as in front of the Health Ministry. Police officers guarded the protest.
Trips Abroad at 499,000 in February 2024, Up by 10.7% Y/Y
In February 2024, the number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 499,000 or 10.7% more compared with February 2023, said the National Statistical Institute on Thursday. An increase was registered in the trips with other purpose - by 22.9%,
Culture
Dimitar Karatonev to Exhibit Paintings at Art Gallery Paris in Sofia
An exhibition titled At Home will present 30 paintings by Bulgarian artist Dimitar Karatonev at Art Gallery Paris in Sofia.
Odeon Cinema to Present Films Featuring Roma as Authors, Active Participants
Feature films and documentaries, in which Roma are authors or active participants, will be screened at the Odeon Cinema in Sofia. The screenings will take place on April 11-15 and will be part of an international selection of cinematic narratives against stereotypes, the organizers said.
Ikar Performing Arts Awards Presented at Official Ceremony in Sofia
The Ikar Performing Arts Awards were presented at an official ceremony at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia on Wednesday evening. The most prestigious performing arts awards in Bulgaria were handed out for the 50th time.
Last Group of Researchers from 32nd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition Returns Home Wednesday
The last group of researchers from the 32nd Bulgarian Antarctic expedition is coming home on Wednesday, said the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute Tuesday. They are expected on a flight from Rome. The group includes National Center for Polar Research
The Balkans
Samokov Hosts BTA's "Europe in the Balkans" Conference
A conference, part of the "Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future" project, took place at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Samokov on Thursday. Representatives of the state and local authorities, public figures and the media discussed the impact of EU-funded projects in the Samokov region in 2014-2020 and new developments for the period 2021-2027.
North Macedonia Marks Fourth Anniversary of NATO Membership
The integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into NATO and the EU is the best response to Russia's imperial ambitions, North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said at the celebration of the fourth anniversary of the country's NATO membership.
Vice President Visits Yordan Yovkov Bulgarian Sunday School in Bucharest
Vice President Iliana Iotova visited the Yordan Yovkov Bulgarian Sunday school with the Bulgarian Embassy in Bucharest on the first day of her visit to Romania. She met with ten of the children studying there and their parents and got acquainted with the teachers. Some of the children recited poems and Iliana Iotova told them about the Bulgarian Martenitsa tradition.
UPDATED Kyustendil Hosts BTA's "Europe in the Balkans" Conference
A conference "Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future" is taking place at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Kyustendil on Thursday.