https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/rss Thu, 20 Aug 2026 03:09:28 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188485-russian-il-76-crosses-bulgarian-airspace-on-humanitarian-firefighting-mission-to https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188485-russian-il-76-crosses-bulgarian-airspace-on-humanitarian-firefighting-mission-to Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:51:00 +0300 A Russian Il-76 aircraft crossed Bulgarian airspace on a humanitarian mission to help fight wildfires in Serbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BTA on Wednesday. The overflight followed a request submitted by the Serbian authorities in a diplomatic note concerning the wildfires, the Ministry added. The Russian Emergencies Ministry’s Il-76 flew to help extinguish wildfires in Serbia, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said. The aircraft crossed Bulgarian airspace between 8:14 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. before landing at Nis Airport. Bulgarian institutions issued the necessary permits for the flight in line with established procedures, the Ministry added. International cooperation in bringing the disaster under control was particularly important as the wildfires in Serbia continued to spread near the Bulgarian border and threatened cross-border areas, the Ministry said. The return flight plan had not yet been received. Bulgaria Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188435-report-that-iran-assessed-us-assets-in-bulgaria-prompts-bezmer-measures-politic https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188435-report-that-iran-assessed-us-assets-in-bulgaria-prompts-bezmer-measures-politic Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:27:00 +0300 A Financial Times report that Iranian forces had assessed striking US military assets in Bulgaria prompted security, political and regional responses on Wednesday. Bulgarian authorities tightened protection at Bezmer Air Base but ruled out a direct threat to national security, three political parties criticized the government or demanded answers, and Greece was reported to be considering Patriot assistance for Bulgaria. Citing “two regime insiders”, the Financial Times said that “Iranian forces had assessed striking US assets in south-eastern European countries such as Bulgaria”, which had approved the use of Bezmer Air Base for US refuelling aircraft. One of the sources also identified Cyprus as a possible target for retaliation in the event of a renewed US offensive. On July 22, Parliament authorized the deployment of up to eight US Air Force KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel at Bezmer from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said the Bezmer security measures had been coordinated with the Ministry of Defence under the direction of the Prime Minister and included precautions addressing a much higher threat level than that indicated by the available information. “We are constantly monitoring the situation and developments and will continue to take precautionary measures that are far more extensive and intensive than the level of threat indicated by the information available at the moment,” Demerdzhiev said. At a separate briefing, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov ruled out danger to the country. “There is no direct threat to national security,” Stoyanov said, adding that NATO had expressed readiness to respond to any threat. Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov used the Vazrazhdane response to accuse the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party of endangering the country. “Promoting foreign interests in national policy always leads to the failure of governance,” Kostadinov said. “The policies of Progressive Bulgaria are destroying Bulgarian sovereignty, turning Bulgaria not into a state but into a colonial territory.” Continue the Change (CC) accused Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s government of dragging the country into a war. “The Financial Times found Bezmer on the world map. Because Iran found it,” CC Chair Assen Vassilev said in the CC response. CC Floor Leader Nikolay Denkov wrote: “The government’s inept approach to foreign policy inevitably leads to increased security risks.” Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chair Ivaylo Mirchev criticized the response, saying a deputy defence minister should already have been at NATO headquarters for urgent consultations with Bulgaria’s allies instead of the public receiving only vaguely defined information about security measures around Bezmer. He said the Financial Times report “should not be irresponsibly brushed aside or taken lightly” and called on Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova to seek an explanation from the Iranian ambassador regarding “Tehran’s ongoing provocations against Bulgaria”. GERB said in its party position that the report required an immediate and clear government response. It called for Parliament to be informed of the actual threat level and the measures taken and urged the Foreign Ministry to summon the Iranian ambassador and seek an official explanation from Tehran. GERB said it would not call for Bulgaria to abandon its allied commitments under threat. “But we will not accept the government hiding behind NATO without explaining what it has agreed, what guarantees it has received and how it will protect Bulgarian citizens,” the party said. Meanwhile, the Greek Ministry of National Defence was evaluating possible Patriot assistance to strengthen Bulgaria’s anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic protection, pending a Bulgarian request and approval by Greece’s Government Council for National Security, ANA-MPA reported, citing ministry sources. The sources said Greece was also considering relocating the Patriot battery stationed on Karpathos island to Souda, Crete. Four Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jets and the Hellenic Navy frigate “Nikiforos Fokas” remained in the area to help protect Cyprus. Bulgaria Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188456-yes-bulgaria-co-chair-mirchev-criticizes-government-response-to-reported-irania https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188456-yes-bulgaria-co-chair-mirchev-criticizes-government-response-to-reported-irania Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:38:11 +0300 Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chair Ivaylo Mirchev criticized the Government’s response to reports of a possible Iranian threat to US targets in Europe, including Bulgaria, in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Mirchev said a deputy defence minister should already have been at NATO headquarters for urgent consultations with Bulgaria’s allies following another reported threat and amid escalating hybrid information warfare. Instead, he said, the only information concerned vaguely defined security measures hastily taken by the Government around Bezmer. Earlier on Wednesday, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters that there was no direct threat to Bulgaria’s national security. His comments came after the Financial Times reported that Iranian forces had assessed striking US assets in Southeastern European countries, including Bulgaria, which approved the use of Bezmer Air Base by US aerial refuelling aircraft in July. The newspaper cited two regime insiders. “The report should not be irresponsibly brushed aside or taken lightly,” Mirchev said. He added that Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova should already have urgently sought an explanation from the Iranian ambassador regarding “Tehran’s ongoing provocations against Bulgaria”. “The Cabinet’s inadequate responses to the crisis in the Middle East and the resulting risks to the country are once again making Bulgaria appear timid, contradictory, unprepared and uncertain about the defence and deterrence capabilities of the alliances to which we belong,” Mirchev said. Bulgaria Kristina Ivanova Borislava Bibinovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188391-defence-minister-rules-out-direct-national-security-risk-for-bulgaria-after-repo https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188391-defence-minister-rules-out-direct-national-security-risk-for-bulgaria-after-repo Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:28:00 +0300 There is no direct threat to national security, Bulgaria's Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters on Wednesday. He was speaking at a news briefing prompted by reports in the international press about a possible Iranian threat of a strike on US targets in Europe, including Bulgaria. "Yesterday I received a document from the Defence Intelligence Service clearly stating that there is no direct threat to national security, either to sites where US aircraft are deployed or to any other sites on Bulgarian territory. It is not only NATO that has responded by expressing readiness to defend against any threat. My Italian counterpart has also responded, essentially saying that he would not advise the Financial Times to publish such statements, and I would share his view," Stoyanov said. "These are statements that cause unnecessary panic among the public, and there is no need for them. We are monitoring the situation closely enough and receiving information from partner intelligence services, and I believe that at this point there really is no such threat to our country," he added. “Documents from the Defence Intelligence Service are sent to the president, the prime minister and the chair of Parliament, so they have access to the same documents that I do," Stoyanov said, commenting on calls by GERB–UDF for the government to inform Parliament about the actual level of the threat, when Bulgarian intelligence services had received information about possible Iranian scenarios and what specific measures had been taken. Asked whether the government had also sought information from partner intelligence services through NATO and the EU, Stoyanov said that information had also been requested from the UK on Wednesday in connection with the article. "There has been no change in the security environment, and the information we are receiving from them confirms our conclusions," he said. Iran is "playing its own game as part of the conflict with the US," but Bulgaria is not a party to the conflict, Stoyanov said in response to a question about the Iranian sources cited in the article and whether the reports could be part of a diplomatic maneuver. "We are fulfilling our commitments as an ally and we have an agreement with the US," he added. Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told a news briefing that in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Interior Ministry has taken all possible measures for Bezmer Air Base, including measures to address a much higher level of threat than the one reported by the security services and indicated by the information coming in. NATO has expressed readiness to respond to any threat. Also on Wednesday, the Financial Times said on its website that "Iranian forces had assessed striking US assets in south-eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of its Bezmer air base for US refuelling aircraft". The publication cited "two regime insiders". The media outlet's report is titled "Iran eyes military targets in Europe if [US President] Donald Trump escalates war, insiders say." The Greek Ministry of National Defence is evaluating the possibility of Greek assistance to Bulgaria to bolster its anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic protection through the deployment of the Patriot system, pending a relevant request and approval by the Government Council for National Security (KYSEA), ANA-MPA reported on Wednesday, citing ministry sources. Bulgaria Yoana Vodenicharova Desislava Peeva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188369-gerb-says-report-of-iran-assessing-strikes-on-us-military-sites-in-bulgaria-is-s https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188369-gerb-says-report-of-iran-assessing-strikes-on-us-military-sites-in-bulgaria-is-s Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:07:00 +0300 The GERB party said on Wednesday that information reported by the Financial Times that Iran had assessed striking US military facilities in Bulgaria was a serious warning that required an immediate and clear response from the government. The party stressed that the report did not indicate that an attack was imminent but said it undermined the notion that Bulgaria faced no direct threat. In a position published on GERB's Facebook page, the party said the country's complex geographical position has always required a reasonable, active and predictable policy to protect the national interest. In conditions of serious armed conflicts, security is not guaranteed by slogans but by active diplomacy, reliable alliances, sound intelligence assessments and the institutions' genuine readiness, the party said. When he was president, Rumen Radev warned of a direct threat to Bulgaria; when he became Prime Minister, the same risk began to be presented as a matter of "logistics", GERB said. National security cannot be exaggerated before elections and downplayed after them, the party added. When the government first asked Parliament for permission to deploy tanker aircraft in connection with the conflict in the Middle East, GERB called for a full risk assessment and guarantees for the security of citizens, military personnel and military facilities. Today, the public has the right to know whether that assessment was adequate and whether it has been updated, the position said. GERB called on the government to inform Parliament of the actual level of threat, when Bulgarian security services received information about possible Iranian scenarios and what specific measures had been taken. The assessment should cover not only missiles and drones but also terrorist and proxy actions, cyberattacks and sabotage. The government should also say what guarantees and protection capabilities have been secured in coordination with the US and NATO and confirm that the use of Bulgarian territory remains strictly within the mandate approved by Parliament, GERB said. The party called on the Foreign Ministry to summon the Iranian ambassador and request an official explanation from Tehran as to whether it considers Bulgarian territory, citizens or infrastructure potential targets. Bulgaria has no reason to justify its decisions as a sovereign State and NATO member, GERB said. The party also said it would not call for Bulgaria to back down from its allied commitments under threat. "But we will not accept the government hiding behind NATO without explaining what it has agreed, what guarantees it has received and how it will protect Bulgarian citizens." Bulgaria must neither give in to threats nor enter into risks unprepared, GERB said, stressing that the country's alliances are a strategic choice and the security of Bulgarian citizens is an unconditional responsibility of the state. Also on Wednesday, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told a briefing that all possible measures have been taken for Bezmer Air Base, including measures to address a much higher level of threat than the one reported by the security services and indicated by the information coming in. Earlier in the day, the Financial Times said on its website that "Iranian forces had assessed striking US assets in south-eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of its Bezmer air base for US refuelling aircraft". The publication cited "two regime insiders". On July 22, the Bulgarian Parliament authorized the presence of up to eight US Air Force KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel at Bezmer Air Base in Southeastern Bulgaria from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East.  Bulgaria Diana Dukovska Teodora Tsaneva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1187921-cabinet-establishes-interinstitutional-coordination-council-on-construction-of-n https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1187921-cabinet-establishes-interinstitutional-coordination-council-on-construction-of-n Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:58:00 +0300 At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution establishing the Interministerial Coordination Council on matters related to the National Children’s Hospital. The Interministerial Coordination Council is an advisory body to the Council of Ministers tasked with coordinating activities within the executive branch, as well as cooperation with other state bodies and local government authorities in determining and implementing state policy for the National Children’s Hospital, which is a project of national importance and a government priority, the Council of Ministers said in a press release. The Council will be chaired by the Health Minister and will ensure continuous, high-level coordination on matters related to the National Children’s Hospital, eliminating cumbersome and slow interministerial procedures. As the National Children’s Hospital project falls within the remit of numerous ministries and other institutions, ranging from healthcare standards and urban planning procedures to funding, digital infrastructure, transport and environmental impact, the Council will serve as a coordination hub for rapid decision-making in one place, preventing administrative delays in the implementation of the project, the Council of Ministers said. Attending the meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev commented on the Interinstitutional Coordination Council, saying that: "[It will be established] to make up for the drastic delays over the years and create a much more efficient, coordinated and accountable process that safeguards the public interest." At the end of July, the Prime Minister said that they would build the children's hospital as quickly as possible because it was a national priority for them. The procedure for the design and exercise of copyright supervision for the children's hospital was published in March this year and was subsequently challenged. The Commission for Protection of Competition then ruled that the complainant's appeal was justified, following which, in June, the management of the Health Investment Company filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov Momchil Rusev Nikoleta Vasileva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188028-nine-birds-of-protected-vulture-species-found-poisoned-in-central-balkan-nationa https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188028-nine-birds-of-protected-vulture-species-found-poisoned-in-central-balkan-nationa Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:42:00 +0300 Nine birds - eight vultures and one crow - have been found poisoned in Central Balkan National Park, the Green Balkans nature conservation organization and the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) said on Wednesday. Following alarming data from the GPS transmitter of a bearded vulture, on Tuesday experts from the Park and BSPB found the bearded vulture along with four black vultures, one griffon vulture, and a crow dead close to the corpse of a cow. A second griffon vulture was found in critical condition and died while being transported to the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre. One more black vulture was found dead in the area on Wednesday. Among the victims is Boev, the first young bearded vulture to be released in the wild in Bulgaria. He was donated by Czechia and released in the Sinite Kamani Nature Park in May 2025 as part of an international project to restore the species' nesting population in this country, implemented by eight organizations in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Romania. Boev's transmitter data showed that the bird then crossed eight European countries, covering 14,100 km in 123 days, before returning to Bulgaria on August 13, 2026, Green Balkans said.  One of the poisoned black vultures was equipped with a transmitter, which helped find the site of the incident - a hard-to-reach area of the Park's Kalofer section, close to the winter hiking route from Panitsite to Mt. Botev. The bird was donated by Spain to support Bulgarian wildlife as part of a project to restore the Black vulture's population in the Rhodope Mountains, the BSPB said. Dr. Dobromir Dobrev of BSPB commented that the poisoning of wild animals is not a problem unique to Bulgaria. "Spain has also gone through a very difficult period in which poison was one of the main causes of vulture mortality. The difference is that, over the years, mechanisms have been put in place there for the early detection, investigation, and prosecution of these crimes, including specialized training for institutions and fieldwork. As a result, cases of poisoning have decreased significantly. This shows that the problem can be solved when there is a consistent government policy and effective enforcement of the law,” he said. The Ministry of Environment and Water said in a press release that an investigation has been launched. The perpetrator faces a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to EUR 11,000, because protected species were harmed and the crime was committed in a national park. Both Bulgarian and EU law prohibit the use of poison and poison baits against predators, the Ministry underscored. Vultures are the most common victims to livestock owners trying to protect their animals from ground-based predators by using poison bait, the press release reads. In January and April, there were other cases where vultures were again found poisoned. The Cinereous (black) vulture (Aegypius monachus) and the Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) are listed as extinct in Bulgaria, but decades of joint reintroduction efforts by Bulgarian and foreign conservation organizations have resulted in the return of these large birds of prey to Bulgaria. This summer saw the hatching of black vulture chicks in the Bulgarian part of the Eastern Rhodope mountains for the first time in 30 years. Bulgaria Dimitrina Solakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188332-cabinet-approves-draft-protocol-with-azerbaijani-government-to-implement-eu-read https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188332-cabinet-approves-draft-protocol-with-azerbaijani-government-to-implement-eu-read Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:45:00 +0300 The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved a draft protocol with the government of Azerbaijan on implementing the EU agreement on the readmission of persons residing without authorization as a basis for negotiations. The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the readmission of persons residing without authorization was signed on February 28, 2014. Azerbaijan ratified it on May 30, 2014, and it entered into force on September 1, 2014. Under Article 20 of the agreement, EU Member States and Azerbaijan may conclude protocols for its implementation. The protocol is an important step toward the practical implementation of the EU-Azerbaijan readmission agreement and is expected to contribute to joint EU efforts to combat irregular migration and enhance security. The draft protocol designates the competent authorities responsible for its implementation and specifies the border crossing points to be used for readmission and transit. It also sets out the means for submitting readmission requests and responses, as well as the procedure for interviewing the person being readmitted when the person is a national of the requested country. It further specifies the procedure for transferring a person subject to readmission, the procedure in cases of mistaken readmission, and the conditions for escorting persons subject to readmission or transfer. The draft decision provides that the costs associated with implementing the protocol will be covered by the Interior Ministry's approved budget for the relevant year. The proposed act of the Council of Ministers will have no impact on the state budget. Its adoption will not require any additional expenditure, transfers or other payments. The proposed decision does not introduce provisions of EU law, and therefore no EU-law compliance assessment has been prepared or attached. Bulgaria Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1188307-cabinet-approves-additional-eur-150-mln-transfer-to-regional-development-ministr https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1188307-cabinet-approves-additional-eur-150-mln-transfer-to-regional-development-ministr Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:24:44 +0300 The government approved an additional budget transfer to the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works for 2026 to the amount of EUR 150 million. The funds will be used to finance the implementation of projects under the Investment Programme for Municipal Projects, included in the 2025 State Budget Act, which are earmarked for funding in 2026. A total of up to EUR 600 million has been allocated for 2026 to cover the costs of implementing the projects under the programme through the Regional Development Ministry budget. The funds will be provided in stages from the central budget in accordance with the Public Finance Act. The goal is to achieve better planning and spending of the funds allocated in the central budget for 2026, as well as greater efficiency and transparency in the implementation of the investment programme. The proposed approach will enable, during the course of budget implementation throughout the year, funds for expenditure on the implementation of municipal projects to be provided in a timely manner, provided that the projects are ready for immediate implementation and in compliance with the requirements of the 2026 State Budget Act. The implementation of the Investment Programme for Municipal Projects will contribute to improving infrastructure development in the regions and enhancing the urban environment in settlements. The measure is in line with Strategic Objective 3 (Modern Infrastructure and Connectivity), and with Specific Objective 3.3 (High-quality water and sanitation services and a sustainable urban environment) under Bulgaria's 2026-2030 Governance Programme. Economy Nikolay Zabov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188328-bulgaria-invites-international-observers-to-october-presidential-elections https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188328-bulgaria-invites-international-observers-to-october-presidential-elections Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:23:00 +0300 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended invitations for international observation of the presidential and vice-presidential elections scheduled for October 25, 2026, in order to ensure the conduct of fair, free and democratic elections and in fulfillment of its commitments under the Election Code as announced on Wednesday on its website. Invitations have been extended to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (PAOSCE), to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), as well as to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PACEC). The ministry added that if they accept, it will propose to the Central Election Commission the registration of their representatives as international observers of the upcoming elections. Earlier on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision on the preparation and conduct of the elections for President and Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria, scheduled for October 25, 2026. In July, Parliament set the date for the elections for President and Vice-President and the decision was published in the State Gazette. Earlier in August, the Central Election Commission (CEC) adopted a timeline for the elections for President and Vice-President. Bulgaria Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188324-bulgaria-approves-eu-association-agreements-with-andorra-san-marino https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188324-bulgaria-approves-eu-association-agreements-with-andorra-san-marino Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:14:51 +0300 At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers approved a decision endorsing the Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino, respectively, on the other. The Agreement provides for the participation of the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino in a homogeneous, enlarged European Union internal market under equal conditions of competition and with common rules. It also governs the application of horizontal and accompanying policies related to the internal market, while replacing the existing customs unions between the European Union and each of the two countries. The Agreement also establishes a framework for developing cooperation in areas beyond the four freedoms of the internal market, including research and development, education, social policy, environmental protection, consumer protection, culture and regional cooperation. By its decision, the Council of Ministers authorized the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union to sign the Agreement, subject to its subsequent ratification in accordance with the established procedure. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188297-up-to-eur-180-mln-to-be-invested-in-innovative-bulgarian-companies https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188297-up-to-eur-180-mln-to-be-invested-in-innovative-bulgarian-companies Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:13:18 +0300 Up to EUR 180 million will be invested in Bulgarian innovative companies and small and medium-sized enterprises through the European JEREMIE initiative. This will be made possible following Parliament's ratification of amended agreements between Bulgaria and the European Investment Fund (EIF) for the implementation of the financial instrument. The new funding will provide additional support for the development of Bulgaria's innovation ecosystem and the growth of high-potential enterprises. It also includes EUR 48.4 million in returned funds from Operational Programme SME Initiative. JEREMIE funding will be managed by the EIF and channelled into growth funds, technology transfer, deep tech, the Three Seas Initiative, as well as companies in the defence and dual-use technology sectors. JEREMIE is one of the most successful financial instruments supporting businesses in Bulgaria. Since its launch in 2009, it has mobilized EUR 349 million in investment in companies, with more than EUR 200 million subsequently reinvested in new financial instruments. Bulgaria Diana Dukovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188268-prices-at-holiday-facilities-operated-by-executive-authorities-state-owned-ente https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188268-prices-at-holiday-facilities-operated-by-executive-authorities-state-owned-ente Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:12:39 +0300 At its meeting on Wednesday, the government decided that the prices of goods and services provided by holiday facilities, hotels, bungalows, campsites, training facilities, educational centres, sports facilities, medical spa centres, wellness centres, thalassotherapy centres, eateries and other facilities operated by executive authorities under the Administration Act and by state-owned enterprises established under special legislation pursuant to the Commerce Act should undergo a comprehensive review and update. For years, the prices of goods and services offered at these facilities have been set without a uniform approach or a consistent link to the actual costs of providing them, the Government Information Service said. A mechanism will be introduced for the periodic review and adjustment of prices based on changes in costs, inflation and market conditions. This will prevent new imbalances from accumulating and ensure a sustainable pricing policy over the long term. The measure is part of a broader policy aimed at improving public-sector efficiency, strengthening the management of state assets and enhancing the sustainability of public finances. In the long term, it is expected to improve returns on public assets, limit the accumulation of deferred maintenance and repair costs, and reduce the risk of requiring extraordinary budget funding to restore worn-out facilities. The measure will also end the practice of the state budget implicitly subsidizing activities that essentially involve the provision of goods and services for payment and do not constitute core public functions of the State. A clear distinction will be made between cases in which the State deliberately provides support for social, healthcare, educational or other public-interest reasons and cases involving goods and services that are predominantly commercial in nature. The finance minister is to prepare and submit to the Council of Ministers a consolidated report on the implementation of the decision by December 31, 2026. Bulgaria Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188311-election-commission-invites-innovation-minister-to-meeting-on-october-25-preside https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188311-election-commission-invites-innovation-minister-to-meeting-on-october-25-preside Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:06:00 +0300 The Central Election Commission (CEC) decided at its meeting on Wednesday to invite Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev to a meeting on the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2026. CEC Chair Georgi Horozov proposed that the meeting with the minister be held at 6:00 p.m. on August 27, 2026. The Minister has been designated as the coordinator for the conduct of the presidential and vice presidential election, Horozov explained. At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision on the organizational and technical preparations for the October 25, 2026 election of President and Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The government assigned the Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister to coordinate the implementation of activities related to the organizational and technical preparations for the election, including coordination with the Central Election Commission on the terms and procedures for the production, delivery and storage of election documents and materials. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov Yoana Novakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188277-cabinet-approves-programme-for-supporting-bulgarian-communities-organizations- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188277-cabinet-approves-programme-for-supporting-bulgarian-communities-organizations- Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:59:46 +0300 The Council of Ministers approved a Programme for Supporting Bulgarian Communities, Organizations and Media Abroad for the 2026-2028 period, the Government Information Service reported Wednesday. The Programme is aimed at Bulgarian communities and organizations abroad, which play an important role as a connecting link between various representatives of the Bulgarian diaspora, contributing to the timely informing of Bulgarians abroad about processes, events and initiatives in and beyond the borders of Bulgaria. The Programme will support initiatives of Bulgarian communities, organizations and media in the countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe with a traditional Bulgarian population, aimed at creating capacity to identify and counter fake news, disinformation and external interference and information manipulation. Bulgaria Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188285-draft-national-spatial-development-concept-seeks-to-reduce-regional-disparities- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188285-draft-national-spatial-development-concept-seeks-to-reduce-regional-disparities- Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:56:41 +0300 The draft National Concept for Regional and Spatial Development of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026-2040 (NCRSD) envisages reducing territorial disparities and achieving more balanced, competitive and sustainable development across all regions, with improved living standards and access to quality services for all citizens, the Council of Ministers said in a press release on Wednesday. The strategic document was developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works with funding from the Regions in Development Programme 2021-2027. It sets out a long-term vision, objectives and priorities for the development of the country's entire territory and builds on the previous concept covering the 2013-2025 period, introducing new tools and measures tailored to contemporary challenges, including demographic change, regional disparities and the accelerated green and digital transitions in the EU. The NCRSD sets out four strategic objectives: territorial cohesion, economic cohesion, social cohesion and growth, and environmental sustainability. Its structure has been streamlined compared with the previous National Concept for Spatial Development 2013-2025, with the aim of providing greater clarity and facilitating the implementation of regional development policy. The concept takes into account the ongoing process of changing the configuration of Bulgaria's Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 2 planning regions, which is expected to be completed in early 2027. This is intended to ensure that the proposed territorial models, priorities and indicators are compatible with the new configuration and provide a stable basis for future regional strategies and programmes. Under the new structure, Bulgaria will be divided into four NUTS 2 planning regions – Northern, Eastern, Southern and Capital. The change is seen as a step toward improving the effectiveness of the regional development system and reflects the state's effort to establish an appropriate legal and policy framework for regional development. The new division is also expected to create conditions for more precise and targeted policies in investment, infrastructure and innovation. Reducing the number of NUTS 2 regions and consolidating territories with similar characteristics is expected to contribute to more efficient planning and resource management, reduce disparities within regions, and enhance their competitiveness and sustainability in both a national and European context. According to the Council of Ministers, territorial cohesion aims to strengthen the network of urban centres, improve connectivity and functional integration between territories, and promote more active participation by Bulgarian regions in European and cross-border areas. Economic cohesion will seek to promote economic growth and more effective use of the regions' endogenous potential through investment, innovation and higher productivity, with a focus on narrowing economic disparities. Social cohesion and growth aim to reduce social inequalities, address adverse demographic trends and improve unequal access to services through human capital development and improvements in the quality of the living environment. Environmental sustainability places emphasis on integrating climate and environmental considerations as a horizontal principle across all policies with a territorial dimension. The concept will play a key role in programming cohesion policy after 2027 and in shaping national strategic priorities for territorial development, the Council of Ministers said. Priorities include investment in people, regions and institutions; support for regional cohesion; reducing disparities between regions; education, skills and social inclusion. The ambition is for the Sofia region to establish itself as a leading centre in Southeastern Europe, while the remaining regions are expected to move closer to European standards. Particular attention is given to territorial cohesion through effective links between regions, improved transport and digital connectivity, and sustainable use of natural, cultural and human resources. Strategic coordination between the different levels of government – national, regional and local, is envisaged. The concept also promotes regional and cross-border cooperation, a stronger territorial dimension in sectoral policies, cross-sectoral coordination, development of a polycentric model based on a hierarchy of urban centres, and effective implementation of the integrated territorial approach. The concept incorporates policies including integrated spatial planning, which entails incorporating territorial considerations into all sectoral policies; equal development opportunities for all citizens; support for green technologies and the circular economy; reductions in carbon emissions; resource efficiency; and the management of environmental, landscape and cultural assets within a territorial context. A system of monitoring indicators has also been developed, covering demographic, socioeconomic, infrastructure, environmental and spatial factors. It will allow progress toward the objectives for 2030 and 2040 to be monitored and enable timely adjustments where necessary. Potential sources of funding include the state budget, municipal budgets, private funds, EU funds, financial instruments and international financial institutions. Specific resources will be outlined in strategic planning documents at regional and municipal level. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188290-cabinet-launches-new-selection-procedure-for-bulgaria-s-candidate-for-european-p https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188290-cabinet-launches-new-selection-procedure-for-bulgaria-s-candidate-for-european-p Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:52:00 +0300 The Council of Ministers adopted a decision on Wednesday launching a new procedure for the selection of Bulgaria's candidates for the post of European Public Prosecutor, based on clear, pre-announced and verifiable rules, and with guarantees of the selection committee's professional independence and political neutrality, the Government Information Service reported. It is in the public interest for the procedure to be transparent and depoliticized, and for the committee not to include representatives of bodies whose terms of office have expired. It is also envisaged that there will be no representatives of the Ministry of Justice on the committee, with the Ministry's role being limited solely to providing expert and organizational-technical support for the procedure. The decision came to be following a comprehensive analysis of the procedure to date and following a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) from July 7, 2026, which overturned the Council of Ministers' previous decision to annul the first selection process. The SAC held that the national selection is part of a specific procedure involving shared competence between the Member State and the EU institutions, and that the government's initial decision to nominate three candidates constitutes an interim measure. This decision does not constitute a reassessment of the professional, moral or personal qualities of the candidates from the previous procedure. It reflects the Council of Ministers' current assessment of how Bulgaria should conduct the national stage of the selection process with greater guarantees of transparency, objectivity and equal treatment. The Regulation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office requires each Member State to nominate three candidates whose independence is beyond doubt and who possess the necessary qualifications and practical experience. At the same time, the European legislation does not specify the exact manner in which the national selection process should be organized, which allows Bulgaria to introduce its own mechanism with higher standards of transparency and objectivity. It is acknowledged that the new procedure will lead to further delays, but it is considered more important for Bulgaria to select its candidates through a procedure that leaves no doubt as to their independence and integrity. The explanatory memorandum states that Bulgaria is prepared to bear the short-term reputational cost of the delay in the interest of a higher standard of selection. Bulgaria Nikolay Zabov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188260-action-plan-for-2026-2030-under-national-financial-literacy-strategy-adopted https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188260-action-plan-for-2026-2030-under-national-financial-literacy-strategy-adopted Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:26:38 +0300 The Cabinet Wednesday adopted a 2026-2030 Action Plan for Bulgaria's National Financial Literacy Strategy. The Plan sets out the main activities to be carried out over the five-year period to improve financial literacy among children and students, young people, the economically active population and vulnerable groups in the country. The measures take into account a number of factors, including the growing range and increasing complexity of financial products, the emergence of new risks for consumers, the rapid development of the financial sector and others. The document builds on the results achieved through the implementation of the activities set out in the previous Action Plan (2021-2025), ensuring continuity, sustainability and consistency in state policy on financial literacy. The new Action Plan under the National Strategy for Financial Literacy of the Republic of Bulgaria was developed by an inter-institutional working group with broad representation from government and non-government institutions and organizations. Bulgaria Diana Dukovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188258-bulgarian-government-adopts-decision-on-preparations-for-october-25-presidential https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188258-bulgarian-government-adopts-decision-on-preparations-for-october-25-presidential Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:09:00 +0300 At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision on the organizational and technical preparations for the October 25, 2026 election of President and Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The government assigned the Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister to coordinate the implementation of activities related to the organizational and technical preparations for the election, including coordination with the Central Election Commission on the terms and procedures for the production, delivery and storage of election documents and materials. The Interior Minister is tasked with organizing the implementation of activities within the Interior Ministry's remit related to the preparation and conduct of the election, while the Regional Development and Public Works Minister will coordinate the preparation and publication of the voter lists. The Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister will also organize the technical arrangements for video surveillance and video recording under Article 57, paragraph 1, item 34 of the Election Code, including by concluding the necessary contracts for this purpose. The Finance Minister will submit to the Council of Ministers a draft tariff setting the fees to be paid by parties, coalitions and initiative committees for campaign broadcasts on Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio, as well as their regional centres. The Foreign Minister is tasked with organizing the preparation and conduct of the election abroad. The Justice Minister will organize the activities related to the preparation and conduct of the election at places of detention and will also be responsible for issuing penalty decrees under Article 496, paragraph 3, second sentence of the Election Code. Under the government decision, the Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, and the Minister of Justice will keep the Prime Minister informed of the progress of the election preparations until the election results are announced. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188237-continue-the-change-says-radev-managed-to-drag-bulgaria-into-war-within-100-da https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1188237-continue-the-change-says-radev-managed-to-drag-bulgaria-into-war-within-100-da Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:07:00 +0300 Continue the Change (CC) Wednesday said that within 100 days in office, the Radev government had managed to drag the country into a war. The statement was published on Facebook following a Financial Times report that Iran is considering military targets in Europe, including Bulgaria, if US President Donald Trump escalates the conflict. Earlier in the day, the Financial Times said on its website that "Iranian forces had assessed striking US assets in south-eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, which last month approved the use of its Bezmer air base for US refuelling aircraft". The publication cited "two regime insiders". Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told a briefing at the Council of Ministers earlier on Wednesday that in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Interior Ministry has taken all possible measures for Bezmer Air Base, including measures to address a much higher level of threat than the one reported by the security services and indicated by the information coming in. "The Financial Times found Bezmer on the world map. Because Iran found it," CC leader Assen Vassilev said on Facebook. "On July 22, Progressive Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms voted to involve Bulgaria in a military operation — for the first time since 2003. Back then, we asked Radev how they had protected Bulgaria, and he told us that there was no need for Patriot systems on Bulgarian territory because there was no danger. Apparently, his assessment was wrong on this matter as well," Vassilev said. "For five years, we kept Bulgaria out of the war. Radev dragged us into it in just two months," he added. "The government’s inept approach to foreign policy inevitably leads to increased security risks," CC Floor Leader and former prime minister Nikolay Denkov wrote in a Facebook post. "Empty talk about 'enhanced security measures' at Bezmer are not enough," he said. According to Denkov, those in power owe the public answers to questions including when the security councils under the president and the government are scheduled to meet, whether talks are being held with the foreign and defence ministers of EU and NATO member states, and how the government intends to protect Bulgaria from military threats. There are no answers to these important questions in the government’s programme either, Denkov said. "But all Bulgarians are waiting for them," he added.   Bulgaria Petra Kurteva Yoana Vodenicharova