https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/rss Sat, 23 May 2026 06:42:15 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131970-ert-reports-alarming-rise-in-youth-vaping-in-greece https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131970-ert-reports-alarming-rise-in-youth-vaping-in-greece Fri, 22 May 2026 18:15:06 +0300 Greek national broadcaster ERT reported an alarming rise in the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers in the country, with more minors viewing vaping as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking. ERT quoted two health experts, who warned that pupils and adolescents are increasingly using e-cigarettes as a social accessory, without factoring in the health harm. E-cigarettes should not be seen as a harmless substitute, but as a form of nicotine addiction from the very first uses, European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention President Panagiotis Behrakis said.  He added that even one or two uses could lead to long-term addiction. Behrakis noted that the spread of vaping among children and teenagers is helped by products offered in different flavours and aromas such as strawberry, vanilla and others, which make nicotine more appealing to younger age groups. Child psychologist Christina Bogiatzi said many young people link e-cigarette use with a sense of independence and early entry into the adult world, without realizing the risk of developing addiction. The two specialists agreed that the problem cannot be addressed solely through bans or warnings on tobacco products. Instead, they called for sustained awareness and education efforts in both schools and families. The experts also pointed to the responsibility of institutions, saying products should not be allowed if they promote nicotine through attractive flavours and packaging. Vaping is not a harmless trend but a serious social and public health problem that requires prevention, awareness and active involvement by parents, schools and state institutions, ERT added. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131982-foreign-ministry-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-discuss-regional-connectivity https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131982-foreign-ministry-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-discuss-regional-connectivity Fri, 22 May 2026 17:40:00 +0300 During the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Helsingborg, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova held talks with her North Macedonia counterpart Timco Mucunski, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. The talks focused on improving regional connectivity, with both ministers reaffirming the strategic importance of accelerating the construction of Corridor VIII for the prosperity, resilience and security of the region and Europe. In particular, they stressed the need for concrete steps towards the joint construction of the cross-border railway tunnel following the entry into force of the intergovernmental agreement signed on November 6, 2025. Petrova reiterated Bulgaria's consistent position that the full implementation of commitments undertaken towards the EU within the framework of the July 2022 European consensus remains the only guarantee for the sustainable progress of North Macedonia on its path towards EU membership. Petrova also said that ensuring the full protection of the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians would remain a priority issue for Bulgaria, the statement added. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131903-three-20-year-olds-prominent-north-macedonia-opera-singer-die-in-crash-near-sko https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131903-three-20-year-olds-prominent-north-macedonia-opera-singer-die-in-crash-near-sko Fri, 22 May 2026 17:01:34 +0300 Three 20-year-olds and prominent North Macedonia opera singer Riste Velkov died in a collision with a truck tractor on the Skopje ring road, the Interior Ministry of North Macedonia said Friday. The four victims included Velkov, a 51-year-old baritone with the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia, and three young men aged 20, one of whom was his son. The accident occurred at 11 pm local time on Thursday, when the driver of a tractor-trailer with Kosovo licence plates lost control of the vehicle, broke through the guardrail separating the two carriageways and entered the opposite lanes of traffic. The truck then collided with Velkov’s car, causing both vehicles to catch fire. The passenger car and the truck cab were destroyed, according to the Interior Ministry. The truck driver, a 76-year-old Kosovo citizen, has been detained. Authorities said further steps would follow after the investigation is completed. The tragedy prompted reactions on social media, with the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia, the Faculty of Arts in Skopje, musicians and opera enthusiasts expressing grief over Velkov’s death. Balkans BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131738-bulgarian-and-turkish-energy-ministers-discuss-natural-gas-trade-and-energy-conn https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131738-bulgarian-and-turkish-energy-ministers-discuss-natural-gas-trade-and-energy-conn Fri, 22 May 2026 15:03:22 +0300 Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova discussed natural gas trade and stronger energy connectivity during a meeting in Istanbul, according to a Facebook post by Bayraktar. Bayraktar said the talks, held on the sidelines of the INRES 2026 natural resources forum, focused on natural gas trade, strengthening electricity and gas interconnectors, cooperation opportunities in the Black Sea and supply chain security. He expressed confidence that growing energy cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkiye would continue to advance and contribute to regional supply security. On February 18, 2026, Turkish state oil company TPAO and Shell signed a partnership agreement for oil and natural gas exploration in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The partnership granted Turkiye a five-year exploration licence in the area. The Khan Tervel block covers 3,800 square kilometres and is located near Turkiye’s Sakarya gas field, the largest one in the Turkish part of the Black Sea. Petrova also said during a press conference on Thursday that revising Bulgaria’s contract with Turkish gas company BOTAS remained a priority and that a meeting with Turkish officials was forthcoming. Balkans BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131476-european-commission-romania-sign-safe-agreement-for-investments-in-security-and https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131476-european-commission-romania-sign-safe-agreement-for-investments-in-security-and Fri, 22 May 2026 12:51:42 +0300 The European Commission (EC) has signed the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) agreement with Romania, the Romanian Ministry of Finance announced in a statement sent to BTA. This will give the country access to EUR 16.68 billion for defence and strategic infrastructure - the second-largest loan in the EU under the instrument after Poland's. "Through SAFE, Romania is not only investing in defence and security but also creating perhaps the most important opportunity in recent decades to connect Moldova to the main European infrastructure," the Romanian Ministry reported. SAFE is the EU's new financial instrument that allows member states to access European loans on preferential terms for urgent investments in security and defence. For Romania, the financing covers projects for equipment, military technology, related infrastructure, and transport projects of strategic importance. According to the plan submitted to the EC, the allocation includes approximately EUR 4.2 billion for road transport infrastructure of national interest, with the remainder allotted for defence and security equipment and infrastructure projects.  "We have also established a separate mechanism that will allow citizens to transparently follow how much is being invested annually in motorways and infrastructure until 2031," the Romanian Ministry further noted. Once the agreement enters into force, the EC will grant Romania up-front financing amounting to 15% of the loan, namely approximately EUR 2.5 billion. The Ministry of Finance will manage the funds disbursed, the Prime Minister's Office will provide overall oversight, and the beneficiary institutions will implement the projects and acquisitions undertaken through the Romanian Investment Plan. Caretaker PM Ilie Bolojan said on his Facebook profile page that what is at stake is not only Romania's security, but also the country's ability to produce more in partnership with European industry. "Without this loan, we would not have had funding for Moldova's motorways. Connectivity is a fundamental prerequisite for regional development, and the completion of work on the two sections will support the development of northern Romania and economic relations with Moldova and Ukraine," Bolojan added. Balkans Kristina Ivanova BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131329-serbian-president-vucic-announces-parliamentary-elections-to-be-held-in-autumn https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131329-serbian-president-vucic-announces-parliamentary-elections-to-be-held-in-autumn Fri, 22 May 2026 09:21:00 +0300 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Thursday night that the country will hold parliamentary elections between September and November this year, Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported. Vucic said that if someone other than the ruling party wins, he will recognize the election results, but also said that he will always advocate for dialogue. He stressed that his goal is for Serbia to build, develop and be modern. Speaking about the protests that occurred on May 15 following a series of incidents in Belgrade during a memorial service for the 16 people who lost their lives in the Novi Sad tragedy, Vucic pointed out that they are unregistered, "criminal gatherings." "They (the protesters) are occupying our roads, our highways, our streets. They are constantly committing violence," he said. The Serbian president's words come two days before a new large-scale anti-government protest in Serbia, called by students, will be held on Slavija Square in Belgrade. The protests demanding early parliamentary elections arose after the tragedy in Novi Sad, where the concrete canopy of the recently renovated railway station collapsed on November 1, 2024. 16 people died and one was seriously injured. Balkans Atanas Malakchiev BTA Correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131312-ousted-turkish-opposition-leader-ozel-says-he-will-not-leave-party-headquarters https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131312-ousted-turkish-opposition-leader-ozel-says-he-will-not-leave-party-headquarters Fri, 22 May 2026 09:18:32 +0300 Ozgur Ozel, who was removed by a court as leader of Turkiye's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, after the party's 38th congress was annulled, told journalists and supporters that he had no intention of leaving the party's headquarters in Ankara. The Ankara Regional Court of Appeal removed Ozel from the chairmanship and reinstated former chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Thursday. "We will protect what was entrusted to us. Just as we protected Sarachane (the place where the Istanbul Municipality is located - ed.), we will protect our party headquarters. They made us sit here as delegates who listen to the voice of the street," Ozel told thousands of supporters outside the party headquarters in the Turkish capital. Ozel said that the lights of the party headquarters would remain on all night tonight and that he expected visits from leaders of political parties in Turkiye tomorrow. "I am here, I am in this building and I am not going anywhere," he was categorical. The ousted leader said that the decision has already been appealed. "Today we filed our first appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn the measure. Tomorrow we will appeal to the Supreme Election Council to confirm the mandate it has given us. We expect it to appeal to the Supreme Court with our requests to suspend the measure as soon as possible and to fulfill its assigned duties and responsibilities," Ozel said. He again called for early elections and said that the ruling party is only afraid of the street. At the same time, he recalled that the Republican People's Party has defeated the Justice and Development Party, whose chair is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, four times. Balkans BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131280-chp-supporters-rally-in-ankara-after-court-annuls-party-congress https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131280-chp-supporters-rally-in-ankara-after-court-annuls-party-congress Thu, 21 May 2026 22:21:41 +0300 Thousands of supporters of Turkiye’s opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) rallied in Ankara on Thursday after a court annulled the party’s 38th congress, removing leader Ozgur Ozel and reinstating former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. CHP supporters packed the area outside party headquarters, blowing whistles and chanting slogans in defence of rights and justice. They were waiting for Ozel to appear. Under the ruling, he must step down. The Ankara Regional Court of Appeal issued the decision after a hearing Thursday in a case over alleged irregularities at the CHP’s 2023 congress. The court ordered the temporary removal of the party’s current leadership and Ozel, and the reinstatement of the former leadership and Kilicdaroglu. Crowds spilled beyond the headquarters grounds, which could not accommodate all demonstrators. Turkish media said supporters of other left-wing parties also joined the rally. Balkans Ayse Sali Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131172-greek-authorities-search-for-source-of-strong-odour-48-hours-after-smell-emerges https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131172-greek-authorities-search-for-source-of-strong-odour-48-hours-after-smell-emerges Thu, 21 May 2026 19:05:31 +0300 Some 48 hours after a strong odour across Athens's southern suburbs and parts of the city centre was reported, its source is still unknown, ekathimerini.com reported on Thursday. According to officials and experts, the smell is linked to mercaptan, a chemical that is added to the otherwise odourless natural gas so that leaks can be detected. The gas distribution company Enaon EDA and Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said inspections found no natural gas leak. The Minister specified in an interview for ANT1 that there is no danger to public safety. Enaon EDA reported that its emergency response centre received more than 350 calls from residents complaining from the smell. Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131126-bulgarian-turkish-officials-discuss-measures-to-speed-up-cross-border-traffic https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1131126-bulgarian-turkish-officials-discuss-measures-to-speed-up-cross-border-traffic Thu, 21 May 2026 18:38:44 +0300 Measures to address traffic issues between Bulgaria and Turkiye during the summer season were discussed at a bilateral meeting at the Turkish border crossing of Kapikule, the Haskovo Regional Administration reported on Thursday. The participants discussed measures to coordinate efforts between Bulgarian and Turkish institutions in order to ensure faster and smoother passage through border crossings during the busy summer season. On the Bulgarian side, participants in the discussion included the Regional Governor of Haskovo, Todor Ivanov; the Director of the General Directorate of Border Police, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov; the Deputy Director of the National Customs Agency, Georgi Aleksandrov; Bulgaria's Consul General in Edirne, Radoslava Kafedzhiyska; as well as representatives of state institutions. Turkiye was represented by the Governor of Edirne, Yunus Sezer; Turkiye's Consul General in Plovdiv, Emre Manav; the Director of the Regional Police Directorate, Muhittin Ayhan; as well as heads and representatives of the customs, police, and administrative services at the border checkpoints. Ivanov stated that the Turkish side can count on cooperation, as a strategic partnership is of utmost importance, especially for border regions. With Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area, traffic is constantly increasing, which necessitates that the optimization process continues on both sides, Ivanov added. Zlatanov proposed launching an information campaign targeting Turkish citizens and those travelling to Turkiye. Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA correspondent Nikolay Grudev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130952-drone-debris-found-on-romanian-black-sea-resort-eforie-nord-beach https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130952-drone-debris-found-on-romanian-black-sea-resort-eforie-nord-beach Thu, 21 May 2026 16:07:05 +0300 A fragment, which looks like part of an unmanned aerial vehicle, was found on the beach in the Romanian Black Sea resort of Eforie Nord on Thursday, local media reported. The police and representatives of the Coast Guard arrived at the scene. The authorities have to determine the exact origin of the object and whether it poses any danger. The fragment is most likely a drone wing brought to the beach by the waves. Lifeguards noticed the object and notified the police. According to witnesses, the object was brought by the waves Thursday morning. In recent months, several such objects have been found on the beach, in Mamaia and Vama Veche, Constanta county, and now in Eforie Nord. Balkans Risida Dimitrova BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130849-serbia-ukraine-hold-talks-on-free-trade-agreement https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130849-serbia-ukraine-hold-talks-on-free-trade-agreement Thu, 21 May 2026 14:47:00 +0300 Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarevic and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Trade Representative Taras Kachka signed a joint statement in Belgrade on continuing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the governments of the two countries, Serbia’s Tanjug news agency reported. Earlier in the day, Kachka met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The two discussed the prospective free trade agreement, as well as opportunities to further increase trade, investment and cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure. On Wednesday evening, a Serbian-Ukrainian business forum was held at the Entrepreneur business club, bringing together 45 business representatives from 30 Serbian and Ukrainian companies operating in agriculture, river transport, logistics, the chemical industry, mineral fertilizer production, trade, the electrical engineering industry and metallurgy, Tanjug reported. Ukraine is the only European country with which Serbia does not have a free trade agreement, daily Danas reported. Ukraine, a candidate for European Union membership, is expected to post GDP growth of 2.4% in 2026 and 4.7% in 2027. Trade turnover between Serbia and Ukraine reached USD 152.8 million in the first quarter of 2026. Serbia recorded a trade surplus of USD 36.8 million. Serbia’s main exports include electricity, mineral and chemical fertilizers, and tyres, while imports from Ukraine include rolled semi-finished products, iron ore and frozen raspberries. Total trade between the two countries amounted to USD 442.2 million in 2025, with Serbian exports standing at USD 202.9 million and imports at USD 239.3 million. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova BTA correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1130679-foreign-minister-petrova-meets-turkish-ambassador-mehmet-sait-uyanik https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1130679-foreign-minister-petrova-meets-turkish-ambassador-mehmet-sait-uyanik Thu, 21 May 2026 12:59:24 +0300 Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova met at the Foreign Ministry with Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Mehmet Sait Uyanik, the ministry’s press office said on Thursday. During the meeting, the two reaffirmed the excellent dialogue and the friendly and good-neighbourly bilateral relations, discussing opportunities for their further development. The two sides will work to expand cooperation in new areas, including innovation, digital infrastructure, and green and low-carbon energy technologies. Minister Petrova stressed that Bulgaria views Turkiye not only as a neighbouring country, but also as an ally in NATO and a key partner in a number of strategic areas. She highlighted the excellent cooperation between the two countries on issues such as combating illegal migration and safeguarding border security, transport connectivity, energy supplies, trade, investment, tourism and defence. The two also discussed the upcoming summits of heads of state and government and foreign ministers of the participating countries in the South-East European Cooperation Process, which will conclude Bulgaria’s rotating chairmanship of the regional format. At the end of the meeting, Minister Petrova and Ambassador Uyanik was underlined that the good relations between Bulgaria and Turkiye are based not only on joint institutional initiatives, but also on intensive contacts and cultural ties between the two peoples. The two expressed a shared readiness to continue developing relations on the basis of equality, mutual respect and cooperation. Bulgaria Veneta Litkova Borislava Bibinovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1130675-foreign-ministry-issues-travel-advisory-over-planned-large-scale-protest-in-belg https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1130675-foreign-ministry-issues-travel-advisory-over-planned-large-scale-protest-in-belg Thu, 21 May 2026 12:51:27 +0300 Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that a major student protest is planned for Saturday at Slavija Square in Belgrade. The Ministry advised Bulgarian citizens staying in or travelling to Serbia to avoid central parts of Belgrade, where large gatherings are expected. Road blockades are likely both in the capital and in other parts of the country, including on the international E-75 route, with no prior notice or defined duration.  Drivers of heavy goods vehicles are advised to avoid the Belgrade urban motorway and to use the Belgrade ring road, accessing it via the Bubanj Potok interchange. Bulgaria Tatiana Marinova Borislava Bibinovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130614-14-turkish-celebrities-detained-for-drug-possession-use-and-prohibited-substanc https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130614-14-turkish-celebrities-detained-for-drug-possession-use-and-prohibited-substanc Thu, 21 May 2026 12:02:00 +0300 Turkish authorities have initiated proceedings against a total of 25 individuals within the scope of an investigation for drug possession, use, and distribution of prohibited substances, that has been ongoing for nearly six months, state broadcaster TRT Haber said on Thursday. In the investigation conducted by the Bakirkoy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul, targeting celebrities, detention and arrest warrants were issued for many famous names in the entertainment business. 14 celebrities were detained in the operation, arrest warrants were issued for another 11 individuals who were abroad or not at their addresses. Among those detained are actress Serenay Sarikaya, pop singer Tan Tasci, singer Mabel Matiz, rapper Hakan Aydin (Blok3), actress Feyza Civelek, actor Onur Tuna and others. The Istanbul Gendarmerie, after collecting the relevant evidence, issued an order for the detention and questioning of 25 individuals. As part of the investigation, 24 addresses were searched in various districts of Istanbul and the province of Mugla, where the Turkish resort of Bodrum is located. A parallel investigation led to the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine that was to be smuggled into Turkiye by sea. At the same time, drug manufacturing sites were identified in Istanbul, and numerous dealers were arrested. The drugs found at these sites were confiscated. Balkans Risida Dimitrova BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130558-ex-diplomat-proposes-referendum-on-constitutional-amendments-in-north-macedonia https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130558-ex-diplomat-proposes-referendum-on-constitutional-amendments-in-north-macedonia Thu, 21 May 2026 10:52:00 +0300 North Macedonia's former diplomat Viktor Gaber has submitted a proposal to the parliament in Skopje calling for a referendum on constitutional amendments, as a way for citizens to directly express their view on continuing EU accession talks, according to media reports. Gaber is first co-chair of the joint interdisciplinary commission between North Macedonia and Greece. The petition proposes that the referendum question concern changes to the Constitution that would add Croats, Bulgarians and Jews to the preamble alongside the communities already listed. Gaber argues that this issue should be decided by citizens, as European integration has been a strategic commitment since the country's independence in 1991. He further states that, as the highest source of political legitimacy, citizens should decide whether North Macedonia should continue on its European path by adopting these amendments, thereby transferring responsibility for the issue to a direct public mandate. The proposal comes at a time when North Macedonia has not advanced in EU accession talks due to the constitutional requirement to include Bulgarians in the basic law, as set out in the negotiation framework. The framework was signed in 2022, but the required two-thirds parliamentary majority for constitutional change has not been secured. The argument has been politically contested domestically, with opposition from VMRO-DPMNE, which won the 2024 elections and formed the current government. Meanwhile, Albania has been separated from North Macedonia in the EU accession process and continued its negotiations independently, intensifying internal debate in North Macedonia. Gaber's proposal also states that if a majority votes in favour, parliament would proceed with the constitutional changes; if they vote against, the country should abandon its current EU-oriented strategic direction and adopt a new one. For the proposal to take institutional effect, it must first pass through parliamentary procedure. Balkans Valentin Evstatiev BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130433-bulgarian-embassy-in-athens-hosts-reception-honouring-bulgarian-culture-and-army https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130433-bulgarian-embassy-in-athens-hosts-reception-honouring-bulgarian-culture-and-army Wed, 20 May 2026 23:49:57 +0300 Ambassador of Bulgaria to Greece Valentin Poryazov hosted a reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in Greece in Athens on Wednesday. The event marked May 24 and May 6, honouring Sts Cyril and Methodius, Bulgarian culture and the Bulgarian Army. Addressing guests, Poryazov highlighted Bulgaria’s historic role in preserving and spreading the legacy of Cyril and Methodius and their disciples, who created the Cyrillic script in medieval Bulgaria. “This alphabet has preserved the Bulgarian people through the centuries. It is our contribution to the culture and free spirit of Europe,” Poryazov said. He recalled that in 1980 Cyril and Methodius were proclaimed patrons of Europe by the late Pope John Paul II and that, with Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union on January 1, 2007, Cyrillic became the EU’s third official alphabet after Latin and Greek. Poryazov also noted the strategic partnership and steady development of Bulgaria-Greece relations in energy, defence, transport, regional connectivity and the economy. He recalled that Bulgaria was guest of honour at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair in early May. He also pointed to the success of Bulgarian pop singer Dara, who won the Eurovision Song Contest. “Warmest congratulations to Dara, a very talented young singer who became world famous in just a few days. She even gave Europe’s highest-circulation newspaper, Germany’s Bild, a reason to publish an article with impressive facts about Bulgaria. Excellent work, Dara. No Bulgarian diplomat could have made Germany’s biggest newspaper speak so well about Bulgaria,” Poryazov said. Speaking on behalf of the Greek Government, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias also opened his remarks by congratulating Bulgaria on its Eurovision Song Contest success, saying it had made everyone in the Balkans proud. “Greece and Bulgaria are neighbouring countries, NATO allies and European Union partners, sharing common strategic interests and a common vision of a region of peace, stability and prosperity,” Dendias said. The reception was attended by representatives of Greece’s public administration, military and political figures, ambassadors and military attaches accredited to Greece. Guests also included academics, Bulgarian cultural and educational figures, and members of Bulgarian associations and Sunday schools in Athens. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130356-students-of-bulgarian-language-and-literature-at-ankara-university-visit-bta-s-p https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130356-students-of-bulgarian-language-and-literature-at-ankara-university-visit-bta-s-p Wed, 20 May 2026 19:59:59 +0300 Students of Bulgarian Language and Literature at Ankara University visited the Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and learned more about its work on Wednesday. The visitors are completing the first year of their Bulgarian language studies, taught by Myuzeyan Uzunova. During the visit, BTA's correspondent in Ankara Ayshe Sali said the Press Club regularly hosts cultural events and initiatives promoting Bulgaria. The students explained why they had chosen Bulgarian as part of their professional path, shared what they liked about Bulgaria, and those who had already visited the country spoke about their impressions. Diplomacy, international trade, academia and literary translation are among the fields in which the students said they hoped to use Bulgarian after graduation. The student who demonstrated the strongest command of Bulgarian, 23-year-old Firat Cevik, received a commemorative plaque featuring the Cyrillic alphabet in the LIK typeface created by BTA. The other students received copies of the LIK magazine and brochures promoting Bulgaria as a tourist destination. Balkans Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130258-serbian-president-to-attend-eu-western-balkans-summit-after-talking-to-ec-presid https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130258-serbian-president-to-attend-eu-western-balkans-summit-after-talking-to-ec-presid Wed, 20 May 2026 17:59:23 +0300 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he has decided to attend the EU-Western Balkans Summit to be hosted by Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday. Vucic came to this decision after speaking with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen. In late April, the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, and the European Council President, Antonio Costa, issued a joint invitation to the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkan countries to attend the summit. The invitation emphasized that the summit represents a historic moment, as it is being held in Montenegro for the first time, thereby marking the country's debut as host of one of the most important political and strategic meetings between the European Union and the Western Balkans. In doing so, Montenegro reaffirms its position as a trusted partner and active participant in the European process, as well as a bridge between the region and the European Union. In 2025, marked by mass anti-government protests in Serbia, Vucic declined to attend the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels at the last minute, after it became clear that there was no consensus among Member States on opening Chapter 3 of Serbia's EU accession process. Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA Correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130153-suspicions-of-espionage-over-alleged-leaks-from-north-macedonia-president-s-offi https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1130153-suspicions-of-espionage-over-alleged-leaks-from-north-macedonia-president-s-offi Wed, 20 May 2026 17:53:00 +0300 An alleged espionage scandal involving the office of the President of North Macedonia has been drawing significant media and public attention in the country since Tuesday. The allegation was first reported on Tuesday by Sloboden Pecat, which claims that the editorial office received an anonymous report submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Fight Against Organized Crime and Corruption, signed by a "group of Interior Ministry employees", according to which data was copied and decrypted from the computers in the President's Office, which is believed to have been intended for foreign intelligence services. An IT administrator in the office of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is reportedly suspected of allegedly copying, decrypting and storing confidential data, and of alleged links to a foreign intelligence service. According to Sloboden Pecat, other employees of the President’s Office and the Intelligence Agency are also suspected of involvement in concealing evidence, while senior government officials allegedly pressured the President and the Prosecutor’s Office to halt the investigation. The Prosecutor's Office began a preliminary investigation late last year, but has not yet received the findings of expert reports from the Ministry of Interior, the country's media reported on Wednesday. The investigation began on December 18, 2025, when the Cybercrime Unit of the Ministry of Interior received a message indicating illegal activities in the President's Office from November 24, 2025.  "As part of the procedure, a request has been filed with the Basic Criminal Court for a search warrant for the computer system to determine the content that may have been illegally copied from the information system in the President's administration. At the same time, orders have also been issued to extract data from personal and portable computers provided to the Ministry of Interior by that administration," the Prosecutor's Office said. At the end of 2025, a request was submitted to the Ministry of Interior for the Cybersecurity Unit to analyze the evidence extracted, and a request was also sent to the Office of the President of North Macedonia for copies of security camera footage related to the incident and the period during which it allegedly took place. Earlier this year, the President’s Office replied that it did not have copies of the surveillance footage, as the Interior Ministry was responsible for processing and storing the recordings. "To date, the Ministry of Interior has not yet provided information about any action taken regarding the release of copies of the surveillance footage," the media said, quoting the Prosecutor's Office.  "An analysis of all electronic evidence extracted from the seized equipment is underway. This is a large amount of electronic evidence, which requires a longer period of time. The analysis is in its final phase, and all evidence will be submitted in due course to the Prosecutor’s Office for an investigation of corruption and bribery," the Ministry of Interior said in a statement, quoted by the media. Asked about the scandal, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski refused to comment, saying that the case is the work of "the spying scum of society" - structures from the offices of former politicians, while the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption, led by Islam Abazi, has, in his words, created panic in society. Balkans BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova Atanas Malakchiev