https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/rss Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:18:58 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1104076-61-crime-suspects-extradited-to-turkiye-including-one-from-bulgaria https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1104076-61-crime-suspects-extradited-to-turkiye-including-one-from-bulgaria Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:13:28 +0300 Sixty-one people suspected of various offences have been handed over to the Turkish authorities from foreign countries. According to Haber7, sixteen of the extradited individuals were wanted on an Interpol red notice, while the rest were sought under national alerts. The operations to detain and transfer the persons wanted by Turkiye were carried out with the support of specialized institutions in seven other countries, including Bulgaria. "The extradition process was carried out in cooperation with Interpol and seven countries – Georgia (50 extradited), Germany (4), Greece (3), and one each from Poland, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and Bulgaria," the Turkish Interior Ministry said in a statement. "The Interpol-Europol Department of the Turkish General Directorate of Security, together with staff from the Ministry of Justice and the departments for Organized Crime, Intelligence and Narcotics Offences, as well as the Cybersecurity, Public Order and Counterterrorism departments, meticulously tracked individuals who had fled abroad and were subject to arrest warrants. Through cooperation with law enforcement bodies in the respective countries, the detained individuals were successfully extradited to Turkiye."  Among those extradited is former national team footballer Batuhan Karadeniz (35), the Milliyet daily reported. A red notice had been issued for Karadeniz on suspicion of involvement in illegal betting. The former Turkish international was detained by police in the United Arab Emirates. Late last year the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office launched a large-scale investigation into alleged illegal betting and match-fixing. As part of the ongoing investigation, dozens of suspects were detained, and the Turkish Football Federation removed more than 150 football referees. Balkans Valentin Evstatiev BTA exclusive by Nahide Deniz https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1104019-romanian-collects-sarmi-dreams-of-founding-sarma-museum-with-bulgarian-exhibits https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1104019-romanian-collects-sarmi-dreams-of-founding-sarma-museum-with-bulgarian-exhibits Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:05:00 +0300 Cosmin Dragomir is a journalist, founder of gastroart.ro – the first magazine dedicated to the history of Romanian gastronomy, an author, Euro-sommelier and researcher who has spent more than one hundred nights in the Balkans in search of flavours and stories that the world has yet to discover. He has several published cookery books to his name. The latest, Sarut-mana pentru masa (I Kiss Your Hand for the Meal), written jointly with Adriana Sohodoleanu, is in two volumes and includes more than 800 pages of traditions, recipes and ingredients characteristic of ethnic communities in Romania – including the Bulgarian one. “We visited the Bulgarians in Izvoarele. Among them I encountered that hospitality typical of the Balkans. And I discovered some recipes and subtleties I did not know before. For example, chulama, which is eaten cold. I also had very tasty ribnik. I tried lyutika (lyutenitsa – editor’s note),” he said in an interview for the Bulgarian News Agency. Cosmin’s greatest passion, however, is sarmi (stuffed cabbage or vine leaves). “I collect them, and that is not a metaphor. I dream of creating a museum. I have eaten sarmi in more than 10 countries across three continents. To that I add the fact that I am probably the only person in the world with sarmi tattooed on me. Sarmi are not just food. They are both a national and an international dish. They exist in many cuisines around the world, bringing together gastronomically many nations, including Romanians and Bulgarians,” he said. He has already gathered enough items for a museum and is convinced that he could even achieve a world record in a category that would be created specifically for the occasion. He began his small obsession, as he himself described it, in the autumn of 2020, during the pandemic. Today he has nearly 400 exhibits. “Out of curiosity I bought one tin, then a second. And I never stopped. At the moment I have more than 200 tins, jars and various types of packaging from four continents. And many other items related to the theme – stamps from around the world featuring sarmi, more than 40 books in different languages with sarmi on the cover, postcards, posters, matches, spices, drawings, paintings. I even have a newspaper advertisement from the 1970s for a Hungarian restaurant in Ohio that offered sarmi on its menu,” the Romanian explained. Upon learning of his passion, people from his home region send him knitted sarmi. “To understand my madness, I will tell you that my wife ordered cufflinks with sarmi for our wedding,” he revealed with a broad smile. He is convinced that if the sarma museum becomes a reality, it will be unique in the world. “Recently I have even been thinking about a travelling museum in the form of a portable container with large front windows. It is a simpler solution than a building. We must be realistic. In Romania, a museum cannot sustain itself. At the moment I am looking for investment, sponsors and solutions,” Cosmin explained. He does not rule out Bulgarian participation in the project, provided there is interest. His collection already includes several Bulgarian exhibits. “The difference between Romanian and Bulgarian sarmi is not great. Only in the spices. And in the size. An acquaintance sent me a photo of a giant sarma from Sofia – a half-kilo sarma (laughs). Ours are smaller. I have tried them in Veliko Tarnovo and in Sofia. And a friend brought me a tin of sarmi from Ruse,” the Romanian said. Curious to find out whether there are as many sarma recipes in Bulgaria as in Romania – more than 100 – Cosmin intends to deepen his knowledge in the field and perhaps even fulfil another of his dreams: to write a Universal Encyclopaedia of the Sarma. Balkans Momchil Rusev BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103862-european-commission-backs-serbia-s-eu-path-urges-alignment-with-venice-commissi https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103862-european-commission-backs-serbia-s-eu-path-urges-alignment-with-venice-commissi Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:02:00 +0300 The European Commission said it continues to fully support Serbia's path towards EU membership, but stressed that legislative changes in the country must align with recommendations from the Venice Commission. A Commission spokesperson did not confirm reports that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos had suggested suspending EU funding for Serbia. The spokesperson noted that the EC regularly assesses whether conditions for disbursing EU funds are met, including before each payment. Concerns remain over recently adopted legislation related to the judiciary, with the EC closely monitoring next steps. It expects progress on key reforms, particularly in the rule of law, implementation of Venice Commission recommendations, and changes to media legislation. Kos was previously quoted by Serbian media as saying the EC was considering halting financial assistance due to democratic backsliding. She reiterated that the EU is continuing its assessment of Serbia's compliance with funding conditions. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103631-european-public-prosecutor-s-office-probes-eur-20m-fraud-in-romania-searches-co https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103631-european-public-prosecutor-s-office-probes-eur-20m-fraud-in-romania-searches-co Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:11:25 +0300 The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest carried out searches on Wednesday as part of an investigation into suspected fraud involving two EU-funded projects worth about EUR 10 million, related to lithium-ion battery production and metal modular structure processing, the institution said on Thursday.  A total of 14 properties and company premises in Romania and Bulgaria were searched to gather evidence. Operations were also conducted in Austria and the United Kingdom. Seven individuals are to be taken to the EPPO office in Bucharest to be formally notified of their suspect status. According to investigators, the project beneficiaries submitted false or inaccurate documents to the managing authority in Bucharest between 2020 and 2024. These included entirely fabricated budget offers, as well as misleading documentation regarding their financial contribution and capacity. The same funds were allegedly reused across both projects to create the impression of financial stability. Funds were temporarily transferred to beneficiaries' accounts solely to generate bank statements required for the projects. As a result, EUR 7.5 million was unlawfully obtained from the European Regional Development Fund. The beneficiaries are also suspected of setting up fraudulent domestic and international financial schemes to divert funds for personal gain. The investigated acts may constitute offences related to fraud, forgery and money laundering, the statement added. The EPPO worked jointly with Romanian judicial and law enforcement authorities, including anti-fraud and criminal investigation units, as well as with Bulgaria's National Investigation Service and General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103106-new-wave-of-well-known-public-figures-arrested-in-turkiye-in-large-scale-drug-us https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103106-new-wave-of-well-known-public-figures-arrested-in-turkiye-in-large-scale-drug-us Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:32:20 +0300 Turkiye woke up to a new wave of arrests of well-known public figures as part of a large-scale investigation into drug use, Turkish media reported on Thursday. Among those detained this morning, a total of 11 people, are some of the most prominent actors of the younger generation, who play leading roles in cult television series – Burak Deniz and Hafsanur Sancaktutan. Also detained were Sinem Ozgenc Unsal, Elif Busra Pekin, Ahsen Eroglu, as well as the well-known rap artist Ender Eroglu (Norm Ender), and musicians Utku Unsal and Mert Demir. In a statement published in the Turkish media by the errorism and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecution Office, it is stated that “within the framework of the operation carried out in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Department of the Provincial Gendarmerie, arrest warrants have been issued for 14 suspects believed to have participated in the offences of ‘purchasing, receiving or possessing narcotic or stimulant substances for personal use’, ‘use of narcotic or stimulant substances’, and ‘supplying narcotic or stimulant substances’.” According to the statement, 11 of the individuals for whom warrants have been issued have been detained, two are at large, and one is abroad. The detainees have been taken in for questioning and to give statements on the charges brought against them. They are expected to be brought before the court and to provide drug samples. Actress Hafsanur Sancaktutan is currently playing the leading role in the television series Kiskanmak, which has the highest ratings in the country. Born in 1991, Burak Deniz is part of the younger generation of actors. Among his notable roles is that in the series Bambaska Biri, where his co-star is Hande Ercel. Hande Ercel was also detained as part of the authorities’ campaign against drug use, but her test results were negative and she was released from the investigation. Earlier, singer Simge Sagin was detained, later released, but placed under a travel ban. Among those detained was also actor Ibrahim Celikkol, who was likewise released at a later stage. The large-scale investigation by the Turkish authorities into drug use in the entertainment industry in Turkiye began in October last year. The list of actors, journalists, performers, singers, musicians, influencers, producers and businesspeople detained in the several consecutive operations carried out so far is long. In February this year, a court in Istanbul arrested the owner of the five-star Bebek hotel on the shores of the Bosphorus and confiscated the hotel, where, according to the investigation, parties had been held at which members of the local elite, actors, singers and influencers used drugs. Balkans Momchil Rusev BTA exclusive by Nahide Deniz https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103013-serbia-keeps-easter-egg-tradition-for-good-friday https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1103013-serbia-keeps-easter-egg-tradition-for-good-friday Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:26:43 +0300 Orthodox Christian households in Serbia dye Easter eggs on Great and Holy Friday rather than Great and Holy Thursday, ethnographers from the National Museum in Belgrade told BTA on Thursday. If you happen to be in Serbia on Great and Holy Thursday and you are a foreigner, there is no risk that you will be drawn into the Easter tradition of dyeing eggs, because Serbs follow the same custom, but on a different day of Holy Week. On Great and Holy Friday, the most solemn day of Holy Week, every Serbian home with Orthodox Christians dyes eggs for Easter. That is why a bowl in the home of Ivana Milojkovic and Milorad Milojkovic in Belgrade, which stands in a specific place in their house, will be filled with the first red eggs for Easter over the next 24 hours. “We dye them on Great and Holy Friday, that is how my mother did it, and that is how I do it,” Milojkovic told BTA, adding that she does not know why the ritual is observed not on Great and Holy Thursday, but on the following day, Great and Holy Friday. In some parts of Serbia, especially in the autonomous province of Vojvodina, however, tradition has eggs dyed early on Great and Holy Thursday morning, and only if households are unable to do so can this happen on Great and Holy Saturday, experts from the National Museum in Belgrade told BTA. They note that there is still no room for mistake, because Serbian customs allow eggs to be dyed over three days, from Great and Holy Thursday to Great and Holy Saturday. Plant and geometric motifs dominate Easter egg decoration, while animal images, hens, rabbits and fish, appear less often, and human figures are the rarest of all, the ethnographers say. Whole phrases can also be written on the eggs, such as the abbreviation HV VV in Latin letters, meaning Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! The person dyeing the eggs can also write his or her own name, or the name or initials of the person for whom the egg is intended. In the Milojkovic family, the first red egg is set aside for the house and placed before an icon of St Nicholas in their home. To make the custom feel more authentic, they prefer to dye eggs with red onion skins, or put chopped beetroot in the water and boil the eggs longer than usual so the colours become deeper. The Milojkovic children can hardly wait for Easter to come so they can start tapping eggs to see which one will be this year's champion. Balkans BTA Correspondent Teodora Encheva Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102951-romanian-energy-minister-says-diesel-rises-by-eur-0-09-for-every-usd-10-increase https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102951-romanian-energy-minister-says-diesel-rises-by-eur-0-09-for-every-usd-10-increase Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:52:52 +0300 Romania needs to implement new measures to mitigate the impact of rising diesel prices if the cost of a barrel of oil continues to climb on international markets, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said in an interview with Digi24 television channel. "I believe the measures are absolutely necessary, because for every USD 10 increase in the price of a barrel of oil, we see an increase of about RON 0.45 (EUR 0.09) per litre of diesel at the pump. So if we see a trend of international price increases, the state should intervene more decisively, reducing excise duties to keep prices at an affordable level for the population," said Bogdan Ivan. The energy minister said Romania is not faced with a fuel shortage, the problem being only the price. "Clearly, we will be seeing upward price trends if this conflict continues. But Romania's refineries are operating very efficiently - at Petromidia we completed an overhaul in record time, they are running at full capacity, and we have multiple commercial routes. I believe that today we are not in a risky situation for our country," Ivan told Digi24. He stressed that Romania does not rely solely on its existing oil product stocks, but continues to import, having moved faster than other countries. Meanwhile, Thursday morning saw the Romanian fuel market shift as Rompetrol significantly cut prices. In Bucharest, petrol fell below RON 9 (EUR 1.77) and was selling at RON 8.94 (EUR 1.75) per litre, while diesel costs RON 10.13 (EUR 1.99) per litre. Balkans BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva Diana Dukovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102903-holy-fire-heads-to-athens-on-government-flight https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102903-holy-fire-heads-to-athens-on-government-flight Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:10:12 +0300 The Holy Fire is expected to reach Athens on Holy Saturday on a government flight from Jerusalem, Kathimerini reported on Thursday. Sky Express said it would then carry it to seven destinations across Greece. Last week, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, including those linked to the transport of the Holy Fire to Greece. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lana Zohiou said various options were being discussed for bringing it into the country. On Wednesday, Greek airline Sky Express said it would fly the Holy Fire from Athens to Alexandroupolis, Heraklion, Corfu, Chania, Mytilene, Rhodes and Santorini. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102771-ankara-s-preparations-for-nato-summit-to-be-discussed-at-roundtable-with-defence https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102771-ankara-s-preparations-for-nato-summit-to-be-discussed-at-roundtable-with-defence Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:33:07 +0300 Turkiye has begun preparations for the July 7-8 NATO Summit in Ankara, with an initial discussion focused on the Turkish capital's role as host. On Thursday, the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) are holding a conference entitled "NATO's Ankara Moment: Strategic Positioning for a Resilient Alliance" bringing together politicians, diplomats and academics. Participating in the forum are Turkiye's National Defence Minister Yasar Guler; Akif Cagatay Kilic, Chief Adviser to the President on Foreign Policy and Security; and former foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Head of the Turkish Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Among the academics and diplomats set to comment on the topic are Prof. Nursin Atesoglu Guney from the National Intelligence Academy and Matthew James Bryza, the former US ambassador to Azerbaijan. The discussion will feature two panels: NATO and the Changing Security Environment, and Turkiye-NATO Partnership at 74. Fewer than 100 days remain until the Alliance's summit, which Turkiye will host for the second time, following the NATO Istanbul Summit 2004. The talks in Ankara will take place against the backdrop of the conflict in Iran, a factor that security experts say makes them even more significant. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the July summit in the Turkish capital. Balkans Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102681-romania-targets-lower-energy-prices-with-new-five-point-reform-plan https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102681-romania-targets-lower-energy-prices-with-new-five-point-reform-plan Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:00:27 +0300 The Romanian government will pursue five strategic points for the development of the energy sector in order to ensure lower prices and improve the country’s energy security, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said at a press conference broadcast live online. These measures include regulatory changes supported by the government and parliament, improving the performance of state-owned companies in the sector, removing speculative investors from the market, increasing storage capacity, and boosting strategic investments, including through cross-border interconnections. Bolojan added that a new regulation on the rules for connecting to electricity grids will be adopted by the end of the month, noting that 90% of projects in this area are speculative. As a positive example, Bolojan pointed to Spain, where, according to him, serious measures have been taken and speculation with prices has now been eliminated. "The main problem at the moment is the extremely high price. We have made massive investments in photovoltaics and have reached a point where, on sunny days in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, we see negative prices per megawatt. We will now invest in storage in order to respond to price fluctuations. If we store excess production during the day, we will be able to use it in the evening," Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said at the press conference. He added that by the end of this year Romania will have newly installed capacity of approximately 2,000 megawatts of solar power, 350 megawatts of wind power, and 2,200 megawatts of gas-fired generation, including the power plants in Arad and Constanta, as well as the one in Iernut, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, and the Mintia power plant, which is already at an advanced stage of construction. Romania is set to complete new electricity generation capacity totalling 5,800 megawatts by the end of 2027, and will have 1,500 megawatts of storage capacity by the end of 2026, Ivan said. "We have proved that nuclear energy is the safest source capable of providing baseload generation. Romania already has decades of experience. Next week, I will have an important discussion in Washington regarding the financing of these projects," Ivan added. In response to journalists’ questions Bolojan said that "as the crisis in the Persian Gulf continues, it is clear that rising fuel prices will have an impact on inflation. As we can see, interest rates on international markets have increased, and this will inevitably have some effect on the market. If these developments persist, the indicators we used in drafting the budget and all our forecasts will be affected." Both the Prime Minister and Energy Minister assured that there are currently no problems with petrol supplies, and that Romania has sufficient reserves and contracts to cover consumption. “From the very first days of this military conflict, Romania activated both existing commercial contracts and new supply routes which can supply the domestic market with crude oil and diesel, as we need to cover around 40% of demand. As of today, our reserves are equivalent to approximately two million tonnes of fuel and oil," Ivan said. Balkans Risida Dimitrova BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102448-serbian-tourists-warned-of-delays-at-eu-borders-over-full-rollout-of-entry-exit- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102448-serbian-tourists-warned-of-delays-at-eu-borders-over-full-rollout-of-entry-exit- Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:53:06 +0300 The National Association of Travel Agencies of Serbia has warned Serbian citizens planning to travel abroad around the Easter holidays to expect significant congestion at European Union borders due to the full implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) starting April 10, local media reported. Under the new system, which coincides with Good Friday in Serbia, the EES will record names, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit of third-country nationals who are not EU or Schengen members, including Serbian citizens. Although the system was partially introduced last October, travelers now face stricter identification requirements and potential delays at border crossing points, which are traditionally busiest during holiday periods and the summer season, the Association told Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS. According to the Association, travelers may need to adjust their plans, particularly when returning to Serbia from EU member states. “When returning from EU countries, we should plan to arrive at the airport earlier than usual-several hours, or at least an hour and a half in advance - to complete exit procedures on time,” said Aleksandar Senicic in an interview with RTS. The introduction of the EES is already affecting tourism flows, Senicic added, noting a decline in interest in travel to EU countries. “Of course, this system is leading some people to not even consider traveling to the European Union, precisely because of the long waiting times at border crossings,” he said. Balkans Metodi Yordanov BTA correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102209-north-macedonia-s-foreign-minister-confers-with-us-deputy-secretary-of-state-on- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102209-north-macedonia-s-foreign-minister-confers-with-us-deputy-secretary-of-state-on- Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:37:17 +0300 North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timco Mucunski, met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau as part of the second US-North Macedonia Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the Ministry reported on Wednesday. Mucunski headed a government delegation that included Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski, and Energy Minister Sanja Bozinovska. The meeting covered joint projects in energy, defence, and security, as well as current global challenges that are causing concern worldwide. The Foreign Ministry said that with this new session of the Strategic Dialogue, North Macedonia and the US are giving fresh impetus to further deepen and strengthen bilateral partnership, setting a clear roadmap for cooperation in the coming period. "Guided by the principles of mutual benefit, predictability, and long-term vision, as well as a shared commitment to broader regional prosperity, the talks between the two high-level delegations focused on defence and security, energy, economic cooperation, trade and investment, cultural cooperation, and issues of global and regional importance,” the Ministry added. In an interview with TV Sitel, Mucunski added that he and Landau also exchanged views on the situation in the region and European integration. As part of cooperation with the US, North Macedonia’s Ministry of Interior will receive support of around USD 3.5 million, which will be directed toward border police, counter-terrorism, and transnational crime, the Ministry reported. Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, as quoted by his Ministry, said that the joint steps taken so far, and those planned for the future, will strengthen security not only for North Macedonia's citizens but also for all transit travelers, and for issues that could in any way impact US security. "Therefore, everything undertaken within the framework preceding the Strategic Dialogue gives me confidence it will yield excellent results in the future,” he added. He noted that the Ministry places strong emphasis on strengthening border security, combating organized crime, illegal migration, and drug trafficking, as well as improving intelligence cooperation with partner services. In parallel, efforts are underway to enhance cybersecurity through technical support, training, and system modernization to better protect institutions and critical infrastructure. Balkans Tatiana Marinova BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102211-greece-plans-social-media-ban-for-children-under-15-starting-january-2027 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102211-greece-plans-social-media-ban-for-children-under-15-starting-january-2027 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:38:28 +0300 Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a plan to ban access to social media for children under the age of 15. He made a video address on TikTok, which was also shared by local media, stating that the ban is planned to take effect from January 1, 2027. “I am sure that many of you who are younger will be upset with me. If I were your age, I would probably feel the same way. But the addictive design of some apps, the profit model based on your attention, the time you spend on your mobile screens, which takes away some of your freedom, needs to be limited at some point,” Mitsotakis said, according to local media. He announced that proposals will be submitted to Parliament over the summer for discussion and shaping into the necessary legislative form, with the goal of taking effect at the start of the following year. The online edition of Kathimerini recalled that Mitsotakis’ conservative Government has already banned the use of mobile phones in primary and secondary schools and has been discussing social media restrictions for some time. Several other European Union Member States, including France, Portugal, and Spain, are planning similar measures to limit social media use among young people. Outside the EU, Australia was the first country to ban social media for those under 16, and the UK government also plans to introduce restrictions, the publication noted. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the Prime Minister also sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arguing for the need for a unified European framework in this area. Balkans Momchil Rusev BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102146-undeclared-eur-101-900-seized-at-kapitan-andreevo-border-crossing https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1102146-undeclared-eur-101-900-seized-at-kapitan-andreevo-border-crossing Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:40 +0300 Undeclared EUR 101,900 was seized by customs officers at Kapitan Andreevo border crossing during an inspection of a lorry leaving the country, the Customs Agency said on Wednesday. On April 4, an hour and a half after midnight, a tractor unit with a semi-trailer bearing Turkish registration arrived at the checkpoint. The driver, a Turkish national, presented regular documents for goods being transported from Germany through Bulgaria to Turkiye. Following a risk analysis, the vehicle was selected for a thorough customs inspection. During the checks, customs officers discovered euro banknotes in denominations of EUR 200, 100, 50 and 20, with a total value of EUR 101,900, concealed in the air duct of the dashboard in the driver’s cab. Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated in the case by an investigating customs inspector under the supervision of the Haskovo Regional Prosecution Office. Balkans Momchil Rusev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101950-turkish-lorry-drivers-protest-against-long-waiting-times-at-kapikule-border-cros https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101950-turkish-lorry-drivers-protest-against-long-waiting-times-at-kapikule-border-cros Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:09:00 +0300 Turkish lorry drivers transporting goods from Turkiye to Bulgaria and to European countries, and back, via the Kapikule border crossing near the Turkish city of Edirne, have joined a protest against long waiting times for customs clearance, which in recent days have exceeded 90 hours, the Demirören Haber Ajansı news agency reported. The Turkish drivers announced their protest in a joint statement addressed to the institutions responsible for international transport and to the media, issued from a private lorry park near the border crossing with Bulgaria. “Today we have gathered here to publicly highlight the major difficulties faced by Turkish lorry drivers. Waiting times at Kapikule have exceeded 90 hours. Drivers are forced to wait in their vehicles for days, deprived of basic necessities. This situation is also a problem for Turkiye’s exports and economy. The 90-day visa limit imposed by Europe makes it impossible for drivers to work, as they spend months on the road. Lorry drivers are not tourists; this profession requires a special visa regime. Every driver behind the wheel carries the future of this country,” the statement said. In it, Turkish hauliers also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the problem largely stems from the control system on the Bulgarian side, the agency added. According to them, the system applied for checking lorries does not differ from that used for refugees. Drivers also complained about the lack of toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities at lorry parks. “We have serious problems with toilets, showers and food. In addition, we are faced with excessive prices here (in the border area – ed. note). I have been waiting to cross into Bulgaria for 70 hours. We observe that the problem largely stems from the control system on the Bulgarian side, similar to refugee checks. A serious bottleneck forms from the duty-free diesel point onwards,” the hauliers said, as quoted by the agency. Balkans Momchil Rusev BTA exclusive by Nahide Deniz https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101865-how-much-will-bulgaria-s-neighbours-spend-on-easter-2026- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101865-how-much-will-bulgaria-s-neighbours-spend-on-easter-2026- Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:49:00 +0300 Bulgaria's neighbouring countries are bracing for an expensive Easter this year - prices for nearly all staple foods for the holiday meal have risen compared to 2025. A similar trend is also evident in Bulgaria ahead of Easter. A summary report from the regional offices monitoring consumer prices under Bulgaria's Agricultural Market Information System (SAPI) indicates an accelerated rise in prices for traditional Easter products ahead of the holidays (as of April 1). Against the backdrop of annual inflation of 3.3% and the upcoming first Easter in the eurozone, Bulgariann consumers are facing a holiday meal that is 15 to 20% more expensive than in 2025, according to SAPI. The national average price of lamb is EUR 16.10 per kilogram, with leg of lamb averaging EUR 16.65 per kg and shoulder of lamb at EUR 15.71 per kg, though significant regional variations are observed. Compared to last year’s Easter basket (April 11-19, 2025), when lamb was priced at EUR 13 to 14 per kg, the price increase is about 15%. A pre-Easter price increase is also observed for greenhouse vegetables. Class M eggs in Bulgaria average EUR 0.29 each, and Class L eggs EUR 0.31 each. Organic Class M eggs reach EUR 0.53 euro each, the data in the report further shows.  Greece This year’s traditional Easter meal in Greece is noticeably more expensive, according to data from a study by the General Federation of Consumers in Greece (INKA), cited by local media. A survey of market prices in the week leading up to Easter shows an expenditure of EUR 412 for products intended for six to eight people, representing an increase of 14 to 20% compared to 2025, when the total was EUR 361.95. The increase amounts to approximately EUR 50. According to the data, a kilogram of lamb costs between EUR 14 and 16 in the provinces, but in Athens and Thessaloniki the price can reach up to EUR 18, and sometimes even more. The traditional Greek dish kokoretsi - made from lamb or goat offal - costs about 24 euros for a kilogram and a half.  The study also provides information on vegetable prices. A head of lettuce sells for EUR 1 euro; a kilogram of tomatoes at EUR 3.20 euros; a kilogram of cucumbers at EUR 0.90; fresh onions at EUR 0.95. The traditional Greek dip tzatziki costs EUR 4.90 per kilogram; a kilogram of feta cheese EUR 14; traditional large eggs for home dyeing, plus the dye, cost EUR 15.60 for 20 eggs. Bread trades at EUR 2.40.  The data also shows a price increase for traditional Easter bread (kozunak), with a kilogram of it reaching up to EUR 22. The study also covers other types of expenses, such as charcoal for grilling. It is noted that a 20-kilogram bag of charcoal costs EUR 36. Also included are the prices of alcohol, soft drinks, olive oil, the electricity needed to prepare food, and other expenses. Romania Romanians are set to face the most expensive Easter yet, according to estimates by local economists. According to experts, the main reasons for the price increase are high inflation, rising prices of traditional products, and higher fuel costs due to the crisis in the Middle East. Egg prices have risen by 14% compared to last year, according to local media reports on the subject. In large retail chains, the average price of a single egg is currently around RON 1, or EUR 0.20 each, if a large carton of 30 eggs is purchased, as verified on site by a BTA correspondent. The price of 10 eggs ranges from RON 12 to 23 (EUR 2.35 to 4.51); the dyed eggs are imported from Austria and the Netherlands and are more expensive - between RON 22 and 26 (EUR 4.32 to 5.10). The prices of Romanian-made Easter breads vary more widely - the cheapest is RON 13 (EUR 2.55), and the most expensive is RON 41 (EUR 8.04). In traditional bakeries and pastry shops, the price of sweet pastries starts at RON 40 (EUR 7.85) and reaches RON 120 (EUR 23.54). The most expensive item on the traditional Easter menu remains lamb. At markets and in stores, a kilogram of lamb sells for between RON 55 and 65 (EUR 10.79 and 12.75). Fresh salad vegetables are relatively affordable. A head of lettuce sells for RON 2.49 (EUR 0.49), a bunch of green onions costs RON 1.49 (EUR 0.29), and radishes are RON 1.69 (EUR 0.33) each.  Romanians will spend between RON 500 and 1,000 (EUR 98 and 196) on Easter, reports the Adevarul daily, citing the Consumer Price Index. A total of 40% expect higher holiday expenses than in 2025. Republic of North Macedonia  Lamb meat is sold in stores in North Macedonia for between MKD 700 and 1,000 (12 to 17 EUR) per kilogram, despite the purchase price farmers receive - between MKD 270 and 280 (just over EUR 4) per live weight. Producers in the country traditionally export lamb to the European market. Last year alone, nearly 100,000 lambs were sold outside North Macedonia - most to Croatia (44,000), Bulgaria (25,000), and Greece (8,400). This year, about 80% of the 25-26 kg lambs have already been exported to Croatia, Italy, and Albania. Eggs, which are traditionally dyed in North Macedonia for Easter, are sold for MKD 11 to 13 (EUR 0.18 to 0.19) each in stores. Farm-fresh eggs can also be found at markets, priced at MKD 20 each (EUR 0.32). As for vegetables, tomatoes can be found at prices ranging from MKD 180 to 300 (about EUR 3 to 5); in hypermarkets, the cheapest cucumbers are MKD 80 (EUR 1.80), while at markets they can cost twice as much; lettuce sells for MKD 50 to 70 (EUR 0.80 to 1.30), and spring strawberries for MKD 300 per kilogram (just under EUR 5). In the country, Easter bread is not part of the traditional Easter meal.  Serbia  The traditional choice for Easter lunch in Serbia is roast pork, not lamb as in Bulgaria. Pork is sold for between RSD 600 (EUR 5.11) and RSD 850 (EUR 7.24) per kilogram, while lamb, depending on the region of Serbia, costs between RSD 420 (EUR 3.58) and RSD 500 (EUR 4.26) per kilogram of live weight.     Eggs in supermarkets cost about RSD 13 (EUR 0.11) each, but at the market they can go as high as RSD 30 (EUR 0.26).   Egg dye and decorations are an additional expense and range from RSD 80 to 200 (EUR 0.68 to 1.70) each, while a full set of dye and decorations costs up to RSD 3,000 (EUR 25.56). Some of the Easter dishes also include fish, which is traditionally eaten in Serbia on Good Friday. At city markets across the country, fresh hake and mackerel cost RSD 900 (EUR 7.67) per kilogram, while frozen mackerel can be found for RSD 450 (EUR 3.83). Fresh carp at the markets costs RSD 1,300 (EUR 11.08), and fresh catfish can be found for around RSD 1,800 (EUR 15.34) per kilogram. More expensive fish, such as salmon and trout, reach prices ranging from RSD 1,200 to 2,000 (EUR 10.23 to EUR 17.04) per kilogram in stores and supermarkets, depending on origin and processing method. Balkans Dimitrina Solakova Balkans team https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101750-serbian-president-vucic-rejects-link-between-foiled-sabotage-of-balkan-stream-an https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101750-serbian-president-vucic-rejects-link-between-foiled-sabotage-of-balkan-stream-an Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:34:00 +0300 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dismissed claims that reports of a thwarted sabotage attempt on a Russian gas pipeline in Serbia are connected to the elections in Hungary, Serbian media reported. He said that Serbian authorities have certain evidence but will not draw conclusions until they are completely certain who is behind the incident and until the elections in Hungary, scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 12, are over. On April 5, Serbian authorities announced that an attempt to sabotage the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, which supplies Russian gas to Hungary, had been prevented. The Balkan Stream gas pipeline is an extension of the TurkStream pipeline, which runs under the Black Sea and aims to transport Russian gas to Serbia and Hungary, Agence France-Presse notes. On April 5, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Budapest views the incident in the municipality of Kanjiza (Northern Serbia) as "an attack on Hungary’s sovereignty", since the main volume of Russian gas is delivered through this pipeline. He added that the foiled sabotage "fits into a series of cases in which Ukraine is constantly trying to hinder the transportation of Russian gas and oil to Europe". The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tykhyi, said that official Kyiv categorically rejects attempts to link Ukraine to the alleged explosive device discovered near the gas pipeline in Serbia. Vucic told a press conference on Tuesday that the investigation has established that during the preparation of the sabotage, "calls were made from certain regional phone numbers to some embassies in Serbia". Balkans Petya Petrova BTA correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101639-pm-mickoski-says-monday-student-protest-in-skopje-was-used-by-opposition-to-dest https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101639-pm-mickoski-says-monday-student-protest-in-skopje-was-used-by-opposition-to-dest Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:31:00 +0300 The government of North Macedonia has informed its NATO and EU allies about an alleged attempt by the opposition to destabilize the country during a Monday protest in Skopje, where law students of Albanian descent demanded that their final exam be conducted in Albanian, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced after attending the start of a street reconstruction in the Aerodrom municipality of Skopje Tuesday. "Yesterday we saw a large number of opposition activists at the protest, giving it a political dimension. We informed our NATO and EU allies about this as an attempt by the opposition to destabilize us in a certain way, and I believe this did not meet the approval of senior representatives of the international community," Mickoski said. He recalled that the law on the use of languages has been challenged before the Constitutional Court regarding its provisions on the judiciary and the rule of law. According to him, the Venice Commission has expressed a negative opinion on bilingualism in the judicial system, stating that "the State does not have sufficient resources to implement it, and therefore the rule of law is not guaranteed". "That is why they strongly recommend returning to the language law from 2008 or 2009," Mickoski added, noting that a commission of constitutional law experts has been formed to find a solution that is both constitutional and aligned with international standards. In a Facebook post, former Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani wrote that he had also informed representatives of the international community about attempts by the government "to misrepresent the nature of the student protests by labeling them as politically motivated and creating an inaccurate perception of the reality in the country". "I emphasized that these attempts to mislead our international partners do not reflect the real concerns of the students, which are directly related to the exercise of existing rights,” Osmani wrote. According to him, the Venice Commission’s March 2025 opinion on the Language Law does not address restrictions on language rights or refer to domestic legislation. Instead, it focuses on practical aspects of implementing the law, such as costs and logistical support, "emphasizing that these are minimum standards that must be met". On Monday, in central Skopje and in front of the Ministry of Justice, law students from the University of Tetovo, the Mother Teresa University, and the University of South-East Europe staged a protest demanding that their legal qualification exam also be available in Albanian, the language in which they were educated. The protest sparked numerous expert and political reactions in the country. The Ministry of Justice of North Macedonia posted on its Facebook page that the exam "is conducted in accordance with the applicable legal framework". "This is a professional exam, not an administrative procedure, but a mechanism to ensure quality and expertise in the judicial system," stated the Ministry of Justice. Balkans BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1101535-dutch-turkish-female-charged-over-attempt-to-smuggle-undeclared-gold-worth-eur-1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1101535-dutch-turkish-female-charged-over-attempt-to-smuggle-undeclared-gold-worth-eur-1 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:42:01 +0300 A 33-year-old woman with Dutch and Turkish citizenship has been charged after attempting to smuggle undeclared gold worth nearly EUR 100,000 through Bulgaria’s Kapitan Andreevo border crossing, prosecutors said. A court imposed bail of EUR 3,000 as part of a pre-trial investigation into failure to declare precious metals. The gold, consisting of six 24-carat bars and 16 bracelets, was discovered in the woman’s handbag during a detailed customs inspection of a foreign-registered car entering from Turkiye on April 3. Customs officials said the vehicle was selected for inspection following risk analysis after all passengers indicated they had nothing to declare. The seized items included 400 grams of gold bars worth about EUR 51,860 and 320 grams of 22-carat bracelets valued at EUR 48,060.  Authorities reported a separate case on March 31 involving two Romanian nationals on a bus from Turkiye to Romania, who were found carrying undeclared gold worth over EUR 60,000.  In a previous case in late February at the same border point, officials seized nearly six kilograms of undeclared gold and around 12 kilograms of cocaine. Bulgaria BTA correspondent Krasimira Slavova Metodi Yordanov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101414-turkish-police-prevent-three-people-from-breaking-into-israeli-consulate-in-ista https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1101414-turkish-police-prevent-three-people-from-breaking-into-israeli-consulate-in-ista Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:41:23 +0300 Turkiye's Minister of Interior, cited by Hurriyet on Tuesday, reported on x.com that two police officers sustained minor injuries, and three alleged terrorists were neutralized while trying to break into the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. One of the suspects died from his wounds. The three suspects attempted to enter the building, but the police officers and security guards at the entrance became suspicious of their intentions and noticed that they were carrying long-barrelled weapons. After the police ordered them to stop, the three opened fire. The police shot two of them, but the three suspects took cover behind a nearby car and fired at the police again. Ciftci posted on x.com: "The individuals arrived in Istanbul from Izmit in a rental car. It has been established that one of them had ties to an organization that exploits religion for its own purposes. The other two terrorists are brothers, and one of them has a criminal record for drug offenses." Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali