site.btaObservances: June 17

The world:

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought;
• National Day of Iceland: Independence Day (1944).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

• 1912: French Prime Minister Raymond Poincare vetoes large loan from French banks to Bulgaria.
• 1976: Cabinet of Prime Minister Stanko Todorov is formed.
• 1990: Diplomatic relations established with Oman.
• 1999: Constitutional Court holds first public meeting.
• 2000: National Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses is set up.
• 2001: Elections held for 39th National Assembly.
• 2004: National Assembly adopts Declaration in support of Bulgaria's accession to European Union on January 1, 2007.