https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/rss Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:52:01 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164442-french-ambassador-in-skopje-north-macedonia-assumed-obligations-to-eu-by-signin https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164442-french-ambassador-in-skopje-north-macedonia-assumed-obligations-to-eu-by-signin Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:47:49 +0300 Interviewed on www.portalb.mk, French Ambassador in Skopje Christophe Le Rigoleur singled out the 2022 compromise and the obligations arising from it in relation to the EU accession negotiation process as one of the main issues remaining on North Macedonia's path toward the European Union. He insisted that this compromise is not a bilateral agreement with Bulgaria, but rather a text signed between North Macedonia and the EU. The diplomat was referring to a compromise, also known as "the French proposal," made by the French EU Council Presidency in 2022 which, without making a specific mention of a "Bulgarian minority", obliged the government of North Macedonia to protect the rights of all "minorities and communities" by preventing hate speech and discrimination and to respect the 2017 Friendship Treaty with Bulgaria by including Bulgarians as a state-constituent people in the country's constitution. "A bit of semantics. Let me clarify: the 2022 compromise is not a Bulgarian compromise, but a text that was signed between North Macedonia and the European Union. Through that text, North Macedonia undertook obligations toward the European Union," Le Rigoleur said. "I believe we must be realistic: the 2022 compromise will not be reopened and will not be renegotiated. Renegotiating the 2022 compromise would lead us to only one outcome-we would all lose time. I do not think that is a good idea," he added.  According to the Ambassador, the way forward is not renegotiation, but finding a way to implement the compromise in a "politically acceptable manner and within a reasonable timeframe".  "What we want to work on is finding ways not to renegotiate it, but to implement it while trying to secure political support so that it can be accepted politically and carried out within a reasonable timeframe. We know that the 2022 compromise is complex and complicated, with elements that unfold one after another, and we know that it is not always simple," he said. "Our position has remained the same throughout: we need a sincere, open, and calm dialogue between Skopje and Sofia. We are pleased to observe that since the new government took office in Sofia, there have been the first gestures and the first meetings for bilateral talks," Le Rigoleur said. However, he warned that the process will not be easy and that there may be provocations, from actors who do not want to see relations between the two countries improve. "There will most likely be provocations, irresponsible statements, accusations, and so on. Therefore, we must all act reasonably in this regard, manage the situation calmly and maturely, so that all of us - the Macedonian, Bulgarian, and European politicians accompanying this dialogue - are prepared to commit ourselves sincerely and engage in a credible dialogue," Le Rigoleur said, quoted by www.meta.mk. Another important issue for North Macedonia, according to the Ambassador, is disinformation. He said  that the country's blocked path toward the EU creates room for actors who may exploit public frustration through manipulative campaigns. He said that in North Macedonia France will continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting media literacy, independent investigative journalism, and the fight against information manipulation. Regarding the reforms that the country is expected to carry out, he advised caution, especially in the area of rule of law and counter-corruption and the independence of the judiciary. France has sent technical experts working in the three key ministries for the implementation of the requisite reforms. "It is good to adopt laws, but it is even better to implement them. That is something we pay close attention to, and it is a democratic necessity in a democratic country like this one. Ultimately, it will be the citizens of this country who must judge whether the reforms have actually been implemented," Le Rigoleur said in his interview according to www.meta.mk. Balkans Lyubomir Gigov BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164473-turkish-and-iranian-foreign-ministers-hold-phone-talks-on-iran-and-ceasefire https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164473-turkish-and-iranian-foreign-ministers-hold-phone-talks-on-iran-and-ceasefire Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:17:00 +0300 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the situation in Iran during a telephone conversation, Turkiye's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The two diplomats discussed the latest developments in the region and the ceasefire situation. Fidan and Araghchi had last spoken on June 15. Their latest conversation follows US President Donald Trump's statement in Ankara on Wednesday that, in his view, the ceasefire had also brought an end to any further strikes against Iran. It also comes after the United States revoked a waiver allowing Tehran to sell oil following shelling that struck three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation in Iran was also among the issues discussed by NATO allies during the Alliance's summit in Ankara on July 7-8. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the latest strikes against Iran had been "necessary". His remarks prompted a response from Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who said Europe should be held accountable for complicity in the military aggression against Iran. Balkans Valentin Evstatiev BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164385-serbian-interior-minister-glad-that-second-section-of-gradina-kalotina-border-ch https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164385-serbian-interior-minister-glad-that-second-section-of-gradina-kalotina-border-ch Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:11:00 +0300 Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said on Thursday the main border checkpoint between Serbia and Bulgaria is Gradina-Kalotina and he is pleased that a second section of the crossing can be opened. He was speaking at a joint news briefing with his Bulgarian counterpart, Ivan Demerdzhiev. The two interior ministers signed a memorandum on the opening of a new Kalotina 2 - Gradina 2 border checkpoint. Dacic also said: "Three million people have crossed the border even before the start of the summer season. We want to facilitate the movement of people and goods in the best possible way while combating cross-border crime." "This is our first meeting, but we will have another one in Belgrade to discuss cooperation in combating organized crime and irregular migration. We have managed to stop the wave of migrants," Dacic said. He noted that illegal border crossing attempts had fallen by 55.9% in the first  half of the year, attributing the decline to good cooperation at all levels and across all sectors. Dacic called on the two countries to learn from history by acting in their own interests rather than those of others. He also said Serbs had been delighted by Bulgarian pop singer Dara's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in May, adding that they had been happier than "in all previous years when representatives of the LGBT population had won." Asked by journalists about accusations by the European Parliament that Serbia was acting to undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring Western Balkan countries, Dacic responded with a rhetorical question: "Has Serbia ever recognized a state that is not a UN member? Has Serbia ever done anything against the territorial integrity of any country?" "How can someone who violated Serbia's territorial integrity by recognizing Kosovo have the nerve to speak about this? It is easy to make accusations without any grounds. Serbia has had its own state for centuries, just as Bulgaria has," Dacic said. "We obviously do not dispute the sovereignty of any country. I do not know which country they are referring to. More than 30% of Montenegro's population are Serbs, and do we not have the right to care for them? Or for Republika Srpska, which is part of the Dayton Agreement?" Dacic again asked rhetorically. "On what basis does anyone have the right to recognize Kosovo as an independent state when Yugoslavia was made up of six republics?" "Kosovo is not a UN member. Imagine if Serbia had joined the EU before Croatia," Dacic said. Balkans Diana Dukovska Marin Kolev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1164327-bulgaria-views-energy-security-from-regional-perspective-energy-minister-says https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1164327-bulgaria-views-energy-security-from-regional-perspective-energy-minister-says Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:10:32 +0300 Bulgaria views energy security from a regional perspective, said Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova at the international forum organized by The Economist magazine in Athens. "Cooperation between our countries ensures energy and economic security, sustainability, and stability for the broader region," Minister Petrova told forum participants. In the discussion on the potential of Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean as energy hubs, she said it is precisely the ability of countries to work together that constitutes the region’s strongest competitive advantage in a dynamic geopolitical environment. “Last year, we spoke about connectivity, trust, and the importance of regional partnerships. Today, our dialogue is transforming into concrete actions, and our ideas are becoming projects,” she noted. She highlighted the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor, which she described as a strategic project built upon existing cooperation in the region - the Southern Gas Corridor. She recalled that just a few days ago, Bulgaria put the first completed section - Kulata-Kresna - into operation, which paves the way for increasing volumes of natural gas from Greece to flow northward through Bulgaria. The connection with Romania, Rupcha-Vetrino, will be ready by the end of this year, she added. Bulgaria is taking the same approach with regard to the development of the East-West electricity corridor, she went on to say. In her words, Bulgaria has one of the best grid interconnections in the region and is working bilaterally with all its neighbors to increase the capacity of the interconnections. The Minister also announced that Bulgaria already has 7 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, backed by 4 gigawatts of energy storage batteries. Minister Petrova added that Bulgaria is also developing pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants. “These investments are transforming Bulgaria into a virtual energy hub, capable of leveraging its infrastructure, connectivity, and growing capacity to benefit the sustainability of the entire region,” the minister emphasized. The energy ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Moldova were unanimous in their view that energy security can no longer be considered in isolation, as it is linked to both national security and regional economic stability.  During her visit to Athens, Minister Petrova held a meeting with her Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Jungietu, Petrova's Ministry reported. The two discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the current situation on energy markets, and consumer protection mechanisms. In this context, they also exchanged best practices for mitigating the impact of energy prices on households and businesses. Economy Dimitrina Solakova BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164333-bulgaria-and-serbia-sign-memorandum-to-open-new-border-crossing https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164333-bulgaria-and-serbia-sign-memorandum-to-open-new-border-crossing Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:51:00 +0300 Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, signed a memorandum on the opening of a new border crossing, Kalotina 2 - Gradina 2. Speaking at a news briefing after the signing ceremony, Demerdzhiev said that traffic through the existing Kalotina checkpoint increases every year: last year alone it was used by over 5 million people and 2 million vehicles. "Our task is to ease the traffic," he added. He said that border security is important but accessibility is important as well. In early June, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut told BTA in his first interview with a Bulgarian media outlet that Bulgaria and Serbia planned to sign an agreement on the construction of the temporary Kalotina 2 - Gradina 2 border checkpoint as part of efforts to ease traffic at the border. The Bulgarian Interior Minister said that the two sides are also discussing opening more checkpoints on the shared border. "I believe that bilateral relations are strong, as is the will to develop them further," he said. The two Ministers mapped out measures and established contacts between the professional leaderships of the police in order to step up the process and make sure people on both sides of the border can cross with ease. Demerdzhiev also said: "After the reconstruction carried out in 2022, its capacity is very good. I would also like to thank my colleague Ivan Shishkov, with whom we started the reconstruction and modernization, and now we are seeing the completed result. This second stage, which is now ahead, will further facilitate access between Serbia and Bulgaria and the opportunity for the two countries to exchange visits." According to him, these border regions - among the poorest in the two countries - can become prosperous, and he said they have the will to make that happen. Balkans https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164125-vucic-thanks-eu-leaders-for-backing-serbia-s-bid-to-open-cluster-3-in-accession- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164125-vucic-thanks-eu-leaders-for-backing-serbia-s-bid-to-open-cluster-3-in-accession- Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:59:00 +0300 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has thanked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa for supporting Serbia's bid to open Cluster 3 of its European Union accession negotiations, Serbian media reported. In an interview with Serbia's public broadcaster RTS on Wednesday, Vucic said Belgrade had clearly understood Brussels' message after EU member states failed to reach a consensus at Tuesday's meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) on allowing Serbia to take the next step in its EU accession process. Earlier this month, the European Commission recommended that EU member states approve the opening of Cluster 3 for Serbia. At the time, the Commission said that although none of the key political priorities had been fully met, Belgrade had made sufficient progress to move forward in its path toward EU membership. Speaking during a European Parliament debate on Serbia on July 7, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the Serbian government's recent reform efforts formed the basis for the Commission's recommendation to open Cluster 3. She said progress in implementing recommendations issued by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and described recent steps toward establishing the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) as encouraging. During the same debate, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, voiced the opposite view, urging the European Commission to suspend funding for Serbia under the Western Balkans Growth Plan. He argued that the country had been in a deep political crisis for the past two years and had made no significant reform progress in almost any area. In his interview with RTS, Vucic said that two or three EU member states had firmly opposed opening Cluster 3 for Serbia. He added that the country should be "more concerned with highways and railways than with opening clusters, because that is real life". At the same time, he stressed that opening negotiating clusters remained "very important," but noted that "as you can see, even when you do the best possible job, you cannot always influence the outcome". Cluster 3, officially titled "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth", comprises eight negotiating chapters. Serbia last opened a new cluster in its EU accession talks on December 14, 2021, when Cluster 4, "Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity," covering four negotiating chapters, was formally launched at an intergovernmental conference. Since end-2021, Serbia's accession process has effectively stalled, with no new negotiating clusters opened. Although the country has been technically ready to open Cluster 3 since that same year, repeated attempts to do so have been blocked by EU member states, including Bulgaria. The main obstacles to reaching consensus in Brussels have been concerns over Serbia's progress on the rule of law and the alignment of its foreign policy with that of the European Union. Balkans Konstantin Karagyozov BTA correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164014-comparative-study-finds-whistleblower-protection-is-weak-in-bulgaria-and-romania https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1164014-comparative-study-finds-whistleblower-protection-is-weak-in-bulgaria-and-romania Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:07:00 +0300 A comparative study on whistleblower protection in Bulgaria and Romania, presented at an international conference in Bucharest on Wednesday, found that while both countries have taken steps to strengthen their legal frameworks, implementation remains weak and public trust low. The study was prepared by Transparency International Romania in partnership with Transparency International Bulgaria under the Legitimacy and Accountability for Better Whistleblower Protection (LAW) project. The study found that Romania has a more consistent institutional framework but less precise legislation, while Bulgaria has stronger legislation but more limited institutional capacity. In both countries, implementation remains the main challenge, with inadequate confidentiality safeguards, weak protection against retaliation and underdeveloped support mechanisms for whistleblowers. Speaking at the conference, Irina Lonean of Transparency International Romania said anti-corruption progress had largely stalled since the two countries joined the European Union and the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) ended. She also pointed to persistent public distrust and said Romanian legislation still makes it difficult to guarantee whistleblowers' confidentiality. Kremena Chobanova, Deputy Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria, said Bulgaria remained among the EU's weakest performers in combating corruption. Three years after adopting the Whistleblower Protection Act, implementation remains limited and institutional shortcomings persist, she said. Chobanova cited the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, which independently receives whistleblower reports, as a positive example. Drawing on data from Transparency International, Eurobarometer and other international sources, the study found that Romania and Bulgaria are among the EU countries with the highest share of citizens who do not know where to report corruption. Fear of retaliation also remains above the EU average in both countries. The study recommends legal reforms, stronger confidentiality guarantees, expanded support services for whistleblowers, improved interinstitutional coordination and more effective enforcement in both countries. Balkans BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163987-greek-defence-minister-greece-investing-in-ai-drones-and-domestic-defence-indu https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163987-greek-defence-minister-greece-investing-in-ai-drones-and-domestic-defence-indu Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:42:19 +0300 Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said Thursday that Greece is fundamentally reshaping its defence policy by investing in artificial intelligence, drones and its domestic defence industry. He was speaking at the international forum organized by The Economist magazine in Athens. Dendias stressed that the efficiency of defence spending is more important than its size. He noted that Greece is implementing a programme through 2030 aimed at modernizing its armed forces and developing technologies that, he said, will strengthen both national defence and the economy. The minister said Greece entered the drone sector later than some countries but has made "a leap forward" by learning from their mistakes. He added that the country will also develop maritime drones tailored to the specific operational requirements of the Aegean Sea. Commenting on the possible sale of US F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, Dendias said Greece would not assess decisions made by the United States, but questioned whether it is in the Alliance's interest for advanced weapons systems to be supplied without clear restrictions on their use. Addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, the Minister said freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed. Balkans Veneta Litkova BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163970-black-sea-aegean-corridor-to-boost-region-s-strategic-importance-eu-commissione https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163970-black-sea-aegean-corridor-to-boost-region-s-strategic-importance-eu-commissione Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:15:25 +0300 A memorandum of cooperation between Bulgaria, Greece and Romania signed late last year, creates a new corridor linking the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea and strengthens both the economic and strategic importance of the region, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said at the Economist forum in Athens. He said the initiative forms part of the European Commission's broader vision for developing Europe's strategic infrastructure. Connectivity is not merely a matter of transport but a cornerstone of European security, resilience and long-term development, he said, adding that transport has acquired a key geopolitical dimension. Tzitzikostas noted that despite substantial investment in recent years, much of Europe's infrastructure no longer meets current needs and requires modernization. He also highlighted the defence dimension of transport infrastructure, saying the European Union plans to invest EUR 100 billion in roads, railways, tunnels and ports to ensure they can facilitate the rapid movement of military equipment when needed. European ports should also be capable of accommodating military vessels, while the development of inland waterway transport will remain among the bloc's priorities, he said. "Connectivity is not an end in itself, but a path to resilience and prosperity," Tzitzikostas said. Modern infrastructure will underpin the European Union's relations with neighbouring countries and strengthen the bloc's position amid growing geopolitical instability, he added. Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev, who took part in the Third Meeting of the Black Sea-Aegean Sea Corridor Platform in Thessaloniki in June, likewise reaffirmed Bulgaria's commitment to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Hellenic Republic and Romania on Enhanced Cross-Border Cooperation. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163784-bulgarian-serbian-interior-ministers-to-sign-agreement-on-new-kalotina-2-gradin https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163784-bulgarian-serbian-interior-ministers-to-sign-agreement-on-new-kalotina-2-gradin Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:45:00 +0300 Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, will sign an intergovernmental agreement on the opening of the new joint Kalotina 2 - Gradina 2 border checkpoint during a working meeting at the Kalotina border crossing on Thursday, the Interior Ministry said. The agreement provides for the opening of the Kalotina 2 checkpoint on the Bulgarian side and the Gradina 2 checkpoint on the Serbian side. In early June, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut told BTA in his first interview with a Bulgarian media outlet that Bulgaria and Serbia planned to sign an agreement on the construction of the temporary Kalotina 2 - Gradina 2 border checkpoint as part of efforts to ease traffic at the border. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163674-serbian-media-with-contradictory-reports-on-countries-opposing-serbia-s-cluster- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163674-serbian-media-with-contradictory-reports-on-countries-opposing-serbia-s-cluster- Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:48:00 +0300 Serbian media report contradictory information about which European Union Member States did not give the green light to opening Cluster 3 for Serbia at Wednesday’s meeting in Brussels of the ambassadors of EU Member States, part of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER). Any opening or closing of negotiation chapters and clusters requires a unanimous decision by all EU Member States. Quoting sources in diplomatic circles, Serbian news portal Savremena Politika reported that eight EU Member States opposed granting Belgrade this next step in EU integration, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Sweden, as well as the three Baltic states - Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, the publication notes.  As the main reasons for their opposition, the countries cited the situation regarding the rule of law in Serbia, as well as Belgrade’s insufficient alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policies, including the lack of sanctions against Russia. According to unofficial information obtained by the news portal, the issue of opening Cluster 3, Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, for Serbia is expected to be on the agenda of the upcoming COREPER meeting next week, as well as on the agenda of the EU General Affairs Council scheduled for July 14, but there is little chance that the countries currently opposed to the move will change their position in the meantime. On that date, Ukraine and Moldova will each open one negotiating cluster, while Montenegro and possibly Albania will close two negotiating clusters each. Later on Wednesday, the Brussels correspondent of Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported that Bulgaria is not among the countries opposed to the opening of Cluster 3. According to Radio Free Europe, the European Commission wants the fifth intergovernmental conference with Serbia to take place on the same day that Cluster 3 is opened. Earlier this month, the European Commission recommended that EU Member States approve the opening of Cluster 3 for Serbia. The Commission noted at the time that, although none of the key political priorities had been fully met, Belgrade had made sufficient progress to take the next step on its path toward the EU. The arguments for this were contained in the European Commission’s so-called "non-paper", as well as in a special document that the Serbian government sent to the governments of EU Member States on July 3. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated at Tuesday night’s debate in the European Parliament on Serbia that the latest reform measures of the government in Belgrade are at the basis of the European Commission’s recommendation to open the cluster. She noted, among other things, that progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and that the latest steps in establishing the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) are encouraging. Her position diverges with that of the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Serbia, Tonino Picula, MEP from Croatia, who proposed that the EU halt funding for the country under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, because, in his words, Serbia has been in a severe crisis for the past two years and there is virtually no area in which its progress toward EU membership can be considered significant. Balkans Risida Dimitrova BTA Correspondent Teodora Encheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163634-bulgaria-and-romania-discuss-sending-tourism-attache-to-bucharest https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163634-bulgaria-and-romania-discuss-sending-tourism-attache-to-bucharest Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:35:14 +0300 Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov met with Romanian Ambassador to Bulgaria Brandusa Predescu to discuss a project to send a tourism attache to Bucharest, the Tourism Ministry reported on Wednesday.  The project is expected to strengthen Bulgaria’s presence on the Romanian market, support the development of partnerships with the tourism industry and contribute to the more effective promotion of this country as a year-round tourist destination. The meeting also focused on specific initiatives for more active cooperation between the tourism sectors of the two countries, the better presentation of Bulgarian destinations and the promotion of travel in all seasons. In 2025, Bulgaria welcomed nearly 1.4 million visitors from Romania, who choose this country not only for summer holidays but also for short weekend trips, cultural tourism, spa tourism and balneotherapy. Dimitrov said that Romania is one of the most important markets for Bulgarian tourism. "Given the strong interest shown by Romanian tourists, we must work not only for more trips but also for a higher quality of the tourism product,” he added. Predescu praised the Tourism Ministry’s new strategy for the Romanian market. She said that the messages set out in it meet the expectations of Romanians and have the potential to present Bulgaria in an even more convincing way. She noted that this country is already a well-known and preferred destination for Romanian tourists throughout the year, while alongside the strong interest, the price-quality ratio of the tourism service is becoming increasingly important. As a next step, Dimitrov proposed the organization of a B2B forum with the participation of tour operators from Bulgaria and Romania. The aim is to create new partnerships, present Bulgarian tourism products more successfully and develop joint offers for short trips, spa and balneo tourism, cultural routes and year-round visits. The Tourism Ministry also honoured Sebastian Constantinescu for his contribution to promoting Bulgaria in Romania. The certificate was presented by Deputy Minister Mariela Modeva in recognition of the long-standing work of the Travel Planner platform in presenting this country to the Romanian public.  Constantinescu stressed that Bulgaria remains a leading destination for Travel Planner, noting that the platform has more than 1,000 materials about this country and reaches millions of users annually. Balkans Tatiana Marinova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163349-eu-enlargement-commissioner-urges-north-macedonia-to-seize-window-of-opportunity https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163349-eu-enlargement-commissioner-urges-north-macedonia-to-seize-window-of-opportunity Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:48:39 +0300 Progress in accession negotiations for North Macedonia is now in writing, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said in an interview with North Macedonia’s MIA News Agency, ahead of her visit to the country on Wednesday. Once the amendments to include Bulgarians in the country’s constitution are adopted, the second intergovernmental conference will be held, and North Macedonia will join the group of Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, Kos added. The EU Commissioner said that European leaders are increasingly supporting EU enlargement and regularly put forward ideas on how to make the process more efficient for candidate countries to move forward, but that their support will always be based on the reality of EU enlargement - all 27 Member States decide together on equal terms. When asked whether in certain cases the EU is guided by political considerations rather than criteria in the accession process, given the negotiations that have already commenced with Ukraine and Moldova, Kos replied that the progress of Ukraine and Moldova is based on their own merits. The EU Commissioner said that the two countries have fulfilled what all Member States have asked of them. Kos gave an example of the implementation rate of reforms under the Growth Plan for Ukraine and Moldova, which was 87% and 93% respectively. Meanwhile, not a single country in the Western Balkans has reached 50%. Among other things, Ukraine has made specific commitments regarding the Bulgarian and Hungarian minorities, demonstrating that even the most difficult reforms can be implemented, Kos commented. She further noted that when the accession process remains stalled for too long, there is a risk of growing frustration, which leaves more room for disinformation, political divisions, and external actors who do not want the region to succeed within the EU. "We have now a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make enlargement happen. This comes with clear choices. Those who deliver on their commitments advance. We see this most clearly in Montenegro and Albania. Those who do not deliver on their commitments, stall. At moments of acceleration, stalling means de facto regression," said the Commissioner. Kos said Montenegro, which is in the final phase of accession negotiations, and Member States have begun drafting the accession treaty, preparing the country’s place in the EU. She also emphasized the need to bring some of the benefits to the citizens of candidate countries even before membership without lowering EU standards. This shows people that reforms yield real results, Kos added. The EU Commissioner expressed her belief that North Macedonia should not waste any more time on "excuses" and urged the country not to miss "this window of opportunity". When asked about the accession process guarantees, requested by the government of North Macedonia, Kos replied that there had never been a case where an EU candidate country received guarantees that no other dispute would arise during the accession process until the last member state ratifies the accession treaty. She added that it was important to accept the reality of how the EU enlargement process works. Balkans Kristina Ivanova BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163408-annual-report-on-serbia-s-progress-towards-eu-membership-warns-of-setbacks-in-de https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163408-annual-report-on-serbia-s-progress-towards-eu-membership-warns-of-setbacks-in-de Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:45:00 +0300 The European Parliament adopted on Wednesday the annual report on Serbia’s progress towards European Union membership, with 468 votes in favour, 116 against, and 79 abstentions. MEPs warned that the accession process remains stalled due to limited implementation of reforms, setbacks in democracy, and insufficient progress on the rule of law. The document emphasizes that progress toward membership depends not only on the adoption of legislation but also on its effective implementation. According to MEPs, there continues to be a significant gap between the formal harmonization of Serbian legislation with EU law and the actual results of the reforms. The European Parliament insists that accession negotiations should proceed only if measurable and sustainable progress is achieved in the areas of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, media freedom, the fight against corruption and organized crime, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions. MEPs called on the European Commission to take the lack of progress into account when allocating pre-accession funding to the country. The report notes that the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Kosovo remains a key condition for Serbia’s progress toward membership and for access to funds under the European Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. MEPs expressed concern over Serbia’s close ties with Russia and its deepening cooperation with China in the areas of security and defence. They emphasized that full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including sanctions against Russia, remains a mandatory condition for accession. The report also draws attention to the deepening domestic political crisis in Serbia against the backdrop of mass protests that have been ongoing since late 2024. According to the European Parliament, the way out of the crisis is to hold free and fair elections. MEPs also condemned the ongoing anti-European narrative spread by government-controlled media and officials, which contributes to low public support for EU membership. The European Parliament’s rapporteur on Serbia, Tonino Picula, stated that the country’s accession process is effectively at a standstill due to democratic backsliding, a weakened rule of law, a lack of key reforms, and inconsistencies with the EU’s foreign policy. He added that Serbian authorities continue to assert that EU membership is a strategic goal, but so far have demonstrated limited political will to carry out the necessary reforms and adhere to European values and policies. On Tuesday night, Picula pointed out that while Serbia is the largest country in the Western Balkans, with the greatest capacity for progress on the path to EU membership, its government must avoid creating new internal dilemmas and tensions in the region. Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA special correspondent Tsvetozar Tsakov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163165-greek-pm-mitsotakis-urges-nato-to-respect-allies-security-concerns https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163165-greek-pm-mitsotakis-urges-nato-to-respect-allies-security-concerns Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:11:14 +0300 Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said at the NATO summit in Ankara that the sensitivities of all allies should be taken into account, Greek public broadcaster ERT reported on Wednesday. Asked by reporters about US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Turkiye could rejoin the F-35 fighter jet programme, Mitsotakis stressed that "the alliance must be based on the fundamental principle of goodneighbourly relations". He warned that Greece would face an "open threat of war" from Turkiye, if Athens were to exercise its right to expand its territorial waters. "Ultimately, we are a defence alliance, and I am sure that these outstanding issues can be resolved in the spirit of goodneighbourly relations and in the spirit of cooperation," the Greek Prime Minister said. Greek media reported on Wednesday that Mitsotakis' comments come amid renewed debate over Turkiye's possible return to the US F-35 programme, after Ankara was excluded from the initiative over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system. According to the publications, the issue raises concerns in Greece about the military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean and its broader implications for NATO. In Ankara, the Greek Prime Minister said that his country was already meeting NATO's target of 3.5% of gross domestic product spending on defence, as well as implementing a programme to modernize its armed forces worth a total of EUR 25 billion. He added that Greece is now among the top five NATO Member States in defence spending. Mitsotakis expressed hope that the truce between Iran and the United States would hold. He added that diplomacy needs time to lower the tensions. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163139-romania-to-emphasize-importance-of-black-sea-region-at-nato-summit-in-ankara https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163139-romania-to-emphasize-importance-of-black-sea-region-at-nato-summit-in-ankara Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:55:51 +0300 Romania will emphasize the importance of the Black Sea region, Romanian President Nicusor Dan said at the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday. During a brief statement, which was broadcast live online, the head of State added that the matter of the Black Sea will also be included in the summit's final declaration. Dan said: "For Romania, it is crucial that the declaration mention unity, Article 5, and the transatlantic relationship. This summit is taking place one year after the meeting in The Hague, where an increase in defence spending was agreed upon. The question now is to what extent these funds are being converted into equipment and military hardware, and whether additional projects to increase production are being launched." The President reported that his country signed an agreement with Bulgaria and Turkiye to expand the minesweeping programme. He said that he does not see any risk of a withdrawal of US troops from the Eastern Flank in the future and added: "There has been an effort to redistribute the security burden between the United States and the other partners. And if you look at the draft declaration for this summit, you will see that the contributions of Canada and the European countries are mentioned in several places. Therefore, we are on the right track toward achieving a balance. The presence of US troops in Europe is part of the contribution, expressed in monetary terms, and naturally, this will be a topic of discussion in the short, medium, and long term going forward. The burden-sharing also includes this aspect." Dan reported that on Tuesday he held talks with a delegation of US senators, during which they discussed both NATO-related matters and bilateral relations between Romania and the US. The agenda included the expansion of the Mihail Kogalniceanu Military Base and opportunities to deepen economic ties and the presence of US companies in the Romanian market. Dan also met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. On x.com, the President wrote: "Canada is one of Romania's closest and most trusted partners. Our cooperation in nuclear energy is particularly robust and holds significant potential for further development. We are committed to deepening this partnership and drawing on Romania's extensive experience in using Canadian technology, including by sharing this expertise across our region." Balkans Nikolay Zabov BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163145-bulgarian-pm-radev-croatian-president-milanovic-discuss-bilateral-security-def https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163145-bulgarian-pm-radev-croatian-president-milanovic-discuss-bilateral-security-def Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:00 +0300 Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic in Ankara to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defence, the Bulgarian government's press service said on Wednesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the NATO Summit being held in the Turkish capital. According to the official statement, the two leaders also exchanged views on the security risks stemming from the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the broader socioeconomic consequences these developments are having on European countries. NATO heads of state and government are meeting in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the Alliance's security priorities and the future of its collective defence. The summit has brought together leaders from all 32 NATO member states, along with more than 100 ministers. The Bulgarian delegation, led by Prime Minister Radev, also includes Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov. Balkans Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163056-pm-radev-bulgaria-prioritizes-defence-capabilities-calls-for-nato-unity https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163056-pm-radev-bulgaria-prioritizes-defence-capabilities-calls-for-nato-unity Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:30:00 +0300 Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who is leading the Bulgarian delegation at the NATO summit in Ankara, said before the start of the meeting that Bulgaria is focusing its efforts on building its own defence capabilities, and global challenges require the Alliance to be united. "Today's summit in Ankara is taking place at a time of profound transformation of the Alliance, which reflects the need and ambition of European member states to strengthen their contribution to common defence capabilities, because the conflicts in the neighborhood, especially the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, clearly show European countries that ensuring the security of their citizens is an irrevocable responsibility and requires systematic efforts," said Radev. He said that by strengthening Bulgaria's national defence capacity, the country has become an important factor of stability in the Black Sea region for the Alliance. In the context of the allies' decision to increase NATO countries' defence spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Bulgarian Prime Minister commented on what this means for Bulgaria. "Achieving NATO's goal of 5% of GDP for defence means for us the development not only of classic defence capabilities, but also investments in infrastructure, digital security, connectivity and cybersecurity. It is very important that the Defence Industries Forum is also being held here today, because this provides an opportunity to overcome the fragmentation in the European defence industry," said Radev. Regarding Bulgaria's financial support for Ukraine, he stated that it must reflect Bulgaria's capabilities without affecting social spending. "A number of Bulgarian governments have systematically and comprehensively supported Ukraine - with financial, medical, humanitarian and military support, but all Bulgarian politicians who promised the most financial support for Ukraine have done very little to develop our economy and provide funds in our budget, so Bulgaria will financially support Ukraine within its capabilities, without affecting social spending," said Radev, adding that "the large deficit that previous administrations bequeathed to us must be taken into account." The Prime Minister also commented on the unity in the Alliance against the background of the situation facing global security. As a main goal, he indicated the implementation of policies that would prevent an increase in tensions in Ukraine, Greenland, and the Middle East. The leaders of the NATO countries are meeting on Wednesday to discuss the state of the defence alliance. Some 32 state leaders and over 100 ministers are gathered in Ankara. Bulgaria is represented at the meeting by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who leads a delegation including Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov. Balkans BTA correspondent Ayshe Sali Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163039-foreign-minister-highlights-growing-link-between-nato-security-and-middle-east https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1163039-foreign-minister-highlights-growing-link-between-nato-security-and-middle-east Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:08:00 +0300 The crisis in the Persian Gulf, tensions surrounding Iran, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the vulnerability of global energy markets clearly demonstrate the growing interdependence between NATO's security and that of the Middle East, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers with partners from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative - Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. According to Petrova, these developments require closer political dialogue with partners in the region through enhanced practical cooperation, including full use of individually tailored partnership programmes. The meeting was held as part of the NATO Summit taking place in Ankara on July 7 and 8. Petrova is a member of the delegation led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev. In Ankara, Petrova also attended a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The Allies and the Ukrainian side exchanged views on developments on the ground. Ukraine called for a ceasefire as a first step towards launching negotiations and seeking a diplomatic solution. Participants broadly agreed that support for Ukraine should remain sustainable and predictable. Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and for achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict through diplomacy, with the active involvement of Ukraine and the European Union, the ministry added. Petrova's programme also includes bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine to discuss current security challenges, regional stability and strengthening cooperation within the Alliance. Balkans Yoanna Vodenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1162963-bulgaria-to-be-represented-by-three-ministers-at-international-forum-on-security https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1162963-bulgaria-to-be-represented-by-three-ministers-at-international-forum-on-security Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:34:00 +0300 An international forum on security, economics and technology under the motto "Progress in an age of upheaval" begins on Wednesday in Athens. The three-day event, organized by The Economist magazine jointly with the Greek government, will bring together heads of state and government, representatives of European institutions, ministers, representatives of international organizations, business and academia to discuss global geopolitical, economic and technological challenges. Bulgaria is to be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Poulev, Minister of Energy Iva Petrova and Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ivan Vasilev. Among the main topics of the forum are European security, economic sustainability and competitiveness, energy independence, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the development of artificial intelligence and climate change management. The programme also includes panels on defence, investment, digital transformation, healthcare and sustainable development. The three-day forum will be held from July 8 to 10 at Grand Resort Lagonissi near Athens.  Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Atanas Malakchiev