https://www.bta.bg/en/rss/free Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:50:16 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1213279-latest-hearing-in-kocani-case-against-iva-mihaylova-continues-for-over-10-hours- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1213279-latest-hearing-in-kocani-case-against-iva-mihaylova-continues-for-over-10-hours- Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:55:15 +0300 The latest hearing in the case against Iva Mihaylova, who is a citizen of both North Macedonia and Bulgaria, was held here for over ten hours on Monday. The next hearing is scheduled for November 9. Mihaylova is on trial for her involvement in a car accident that resulted in one fatality near Kocani on October 7, 2025. She is accused of causing a serious accident and of a serious crime against road safety in North Macedonia. The accident left several people, including Mihaylova, injured. Her ID was seized following the accident, which prevents her from travelling to Bulgaria – one of the countries that offers treatment to the specific type of spinal injuries that she suffered.  Monday's hearing included the examination of a forensic expert witness and a technical expert witness. The expert reports prepared by Mihaylova's defence will be reviewed at the next sitting in November. The trial was attended by Bulgarian MPs Ivan Golomeev, Boyko Mladenov, and Borislav Georgiev of Progressive Bulgaria; Georg Georgiev of GERB-UDF; and Elisaveta Belobradova of Democratic Bulgaria. Vazrazhdane MP Angel Georgiev reported on his Facebook profile that he was denied entry into North Macedonia on the grounds that he had unpaid court costs related to a case. He was travelling together with Krastyo Vrachev, another Vazrazhdane MP. Georgiev said he would ask Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry to raise the matter with the EU institutions and North Macedonia'a authorities. Also present in the courtroom were Mihaylova's mother, Hristina Mihaylova; Nikolay Dimitrov, an attorney hired by Mihaylova's mother who has requested to join Mihaylova's legal team; the wife and brother of Besim Durmishi who died in the accident; and relatives and friends of the occupants of the other car involved in the accident. Speaking ahead of the trial, Mihaylova, 23, said her health is deteriorating and she urgently needs treatment abroad because the procedure she requires is not available in North Macedonia. "The State has been holding me hostage for almost a year now, violating my human rights for absolutely no reason, because I am not responsible for the accident, while I need treatment that I am not being allowed to receive. The doctors in Skopje said that my situation is complicated, and physically I feel worse and worse every day. I am in quite severe pain and there is no way they can help me here. Even painkillers are no longer helping," she said. She said eight applications - four to the Kocani court and four to the Court of Appeal in Stip - seeking permission for treatment unavailable in North Macedonia but available in Bulgaria, Israel and Turkiye had already been rejected, despite medical findings from a competent  healthcare institution in North Macedonia confirming the severity of her condition. She said she does not feel safe after police entered her home "to carry out a search without a document, plain-clothes police officers stand outside the house all day, and drones fly around the house." Progressive Bulgaria MP Boyko Mladenov said that regardless of the outcome of the case, Iva Mihaylova has the right to receive appropriate medical treatment. "Everything the prosecution is presenting is, in my view, fabricated," Mladenov added. According to him, the photographs presented at the hearing unequivocally show that the collision occurred on Iva Mihaylova’s side of the road. He added that based on what they had seen and on the facts, there is no way that an acquittal will not eventually be secured. In his view, alongside the legal aspects, the public and humanitarian dimensions of the case are of great significance. GERB-UDF MP Georg Georgiev commented that his presence in Kocani was a continuation of GERB’s long-standing commitment to ensuring Iva’s right to a fair and impartial trial. "Everyone has the right to fight for their health and their life; everyone has the right to defend themselves, and we hope that this trial will demonstrate precisely this maturity - objectively upholding what we in democratic societies understand as a fair, open, impartial and transparent process," he stressed. Elisaveta Belobradova told reporters that Bulgarian MPs from various parliamentary groups were there solely to offer Iva Mihaylova emotional support and, above all, uphold human rights. Asked whether international protection should be sought, Belobradova, who is Deputy Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad, said foreign state institutions should not intervene, as the Republic of North Macedonia is a sovereign state with an independent judiciary. She added: "We should speak with all European institutions and reach out to the authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to tell them that human rights are an integral part of the aspiration to be part of Europe." Balkans Dimitrina Solakova Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Marinela Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1213197-bulgarian-patriarch-daniil-arrives-in-jordan-during-irenic-visit-to-jerusalem-pa https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1213197-bulgarian-patriarch-daniil-arrives-in-jordan-during-irenic-visit-to-jerusalem-pa Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:56:00 +0300 Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil and his church delegation arrived in Jordan on Monday, accompanied by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said. Daniil was welcomed by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, King Abdullah II of Jordan’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy. The pilgrimage programme in Jordan, part of Daniil’s irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, began at the cave of St John the Baptist, where the saint is said to have lived as an ascetic. The delegation also visited Elijah’s Hill, traditionally believed to be the place from which the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven. A monastery was later built on the site. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil visited the spring of St John the Baptist and the Jordan River on September 28 during a visit to Jordan. Patriarch Daniil and the church delegation accompanying him arrived in Jordan earlier on Monday, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said. At the site where the Lord Jesus Christ was baptised by St John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Patriarch Daniel prayed for support and God’s blessing for Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and around the world. The Bulgarian church delegation was also welcomed at the Church of St John the Baptist. The two patriarchs and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad also visited the Jordan River, where the troparion of the Feast of the Epiphany was sung in Greek and Church Slavonic. The church delegation also visited the Orthodox Theological University of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan. Daniil’s irenic visit will continue until September 30. He arrived in Israel on September 25 for his first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He undertook the visit at Theophilos’s invitation and following a decision by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate.  World Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213433-presidential-candidate-gurov-offers-transparency-clear-rules-and-no-compromise- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213433-presidential-candidate-gurov-offers-transparency-clear-rules-and-no-compromise- Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:42:14 +0300 Presidential candidate Andrey Gurov visited Montana on Monday and met voters at the Zhitomir Hotel. "At the October 25 presidential election, [my running mate] Georgi Kandev and I are a clear alternative," Gurov said. "We offer transparency, clear rules that apply to everyone, and no compromise on them. I promise to be a voice for your views and amplify them so they can be heard." He said that in foreign policy he would defend the principle that countries' borders must not be changed by force and that the world should be governed by the rule of law, not by the law of force. In domestic policy, the Gurov-Kandev ticket will seek to encourage more people to return to Bulgaria and reduce the number of people who feel compelled to seek a life abroad because of the country's political, social or economic environment. The presidential candidate recalled the work of the caretaker government he headed earlier this year, including the introduction of greater transparency, with all government and ministry payments published on their websites. He said substantial funds had been paid to municipalities for their projects, measures had been taken to curb the rise in fuel prices, and the most vulnerable had been compensated. Thus, despite crude oil prices being the same in March and now, fuel prices were lower at that time. Gurov outlined the main priorities of his campaign as security, stability and independence, which he said could make the State predictable. Bulgaria Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Tsvetomir Tsvetkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213421-competition-protection-commission-establishes-price-pressure-exerted-by-former-l https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213421-competition-protection-commission-establishes-price-pressure-exerted-by-former-l Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:24:46 +0300 In a televised interview on Monday, Economy Minister Alexander Poulev said that according to an expert position of the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC), the former special commercial administrator of Lukoil's operations in Bulgaria, Roumen Spetsov, exerted price pressure at the start of 2026. That led to a very serious liquidity financial crisis in the company's structures, Poulev told Bulgarian National Television. The Minister said further that the policy of working with a very low return had resulted in many financial difficulties for Lukoil and had created a serious shock in the system for operators of filling stations, who were forced to work at a loss for a short period of time. Poulev described this approach as non-sustainable, populist and set as a political trap for the next special administrator. Such a practice could have continued for no more than two to three months before leading the refinery to bankruptcy, he argued.  Poulev's Ministry praises the CPC's urgent check for transparency and pricing, he noted. The Special Commercial Administrator will provide full accounting and financial information.  Regarding the decision to lift the ban on the export of petroleum products, Minister Poulev said that it was intended to help the entire industry maintain its competitiveness, rather than as a special privilege for a specific producer. He explained that due to the Lukoil refinery’s increased operating capacity, diesel stocks have accumulated, tying up over EUR 200 million in working capital. According to the Minister, since the domestic market has limited consumption capacity, exports to third countries allow for the release of this liquidity. The Minister further commented that the measure has no impact on final pump prices and is intended solely to ensure liquidity and the continuity of operations. When asked why the 33% tax on excess profits does not apply to the refinery, Poulev replied that the company is not in a position to generate excess profits, as it operates on a minimal margin of return and is overcoming the inherited liquidity crisis. The Minister of Economy emphasized that the price surge is a consequence of global geopolitical processes and noted that the State is providing packages of measures for the most vulnerable groups and the key sectors of industry. Poulev noted that Bulgaria is in an excellent position with regard to the EU institutions. Regarding the International Monetary Fund’s mission to Bulgaria, he said that the country is expected to receive a balanced and constructive assessment from the Fund in light of inflation. Bulgaria Dimitrina Solakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213413-deputy-defence-minister-monov-calls-for-stronger-more-effective-european-defenc https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213413-deputy-defence-minister-monov-calls-for-stronger-more-effective-european-defenc Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:52:56 +0300 Bulgarian Deputy Defence Minister Lyubomir Monov highlighted the need for a stronger and more effective European Defence Agency (EDA) to support EU Member States in developing defence capabilities and making use of European Union instruments. He took part on Monday in a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) and a meeting of the EDA Steering Board in Brussels, the Defence Ministry said. The EDA meeting presented and discussed its first Annual Defence Readiness Report. The document was described as an objective basis for assessing progress and setting the next priorities for Member States, the ministry said. Monov supported the second-stage measures to strengthen the EDA, including expanding its role in innovation, capability development and joint procurement of defence products and services, the ministry said. Military mobility was also highlighted as a key factor for the security of the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea region. Monov also stressed the need to develop capabilities in air and missile defence, drones and counter-drone systems. Monov said European defence readiness required not only increased investment but also better coordination among Member States. The EDA can play an increasingly important role in this process, he said. In Brussels, the Deputy Defence Minister met with Sebastian Hartmann, Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany's Federal Minister of Defence. The talks focused on deepening bilateral military cooperation and concrete steps to accelerate joint projects under the SAFE instrument. The Bulgarian side stressed the importance of greater participation by Bulgaria's defence industry in implementing the projects through industrial cooperation and integration into European supply chains. Opportunities for establishing long-term partnerships with the German defence industry were also discussed, the ministry said. Bulgaria Alexander Tasev Diana Dukovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213416-finance-ministry-raises-2026-growth-forecast-to-3-inflation-forecast-to-4-8- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213416-finance-ministry-raises-2026-growth-forecast-to-3-inflation-forecast-to-4-8- Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:23:00 +0300 Bulgaria’s Finance Ministry on Monday raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3% and its average annual inflation forecast to 4.8%. The figures appear in the Ministry’s Autumn Macroeconomic Forecast, published on its website. Its spring forecast projected GDP growth of 2.6% and average annual inflation of 4.3% for 2026. The Ministry now expects GDP to grow by 2.5% in 2027 and 2.4% in both 2028 and 2029. The spring forecast projected growth of 2.5% in 2027 and 2028 and 2.6% in 2029. Average annual inflation is expected to ease to 4% in 2027, compared with the spring projection of 3.8%. The Ministry attributed its higher inflation estimates mainly to rising fuel prices. It forecasts inflation of 2.6% in 2028 and 2.4% in 2029, against spring projections of 2.5% for each year. Employment is expected to rise by 0.5% in 2026 and 0.2% in 2027. The unemployment rate is forecast to remain around its current level of 3.4% over the forecast period. Nominal growth in compensation per employee reached 7.1% in the first half of 2026. The Ministry expects it to average 8.5% for the full year before slowing to 6.2% in 2027. The conflict in the Middle East remains a leading factor shaping external conditions, the Ministry said. Its initial assumptions were that hostilities and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz would continue until mid-2026, followed by a gradual normalization. After a temporary easing in late June and early July, however, the conflict intensified again, adding to price pressures. The current forecast expects international oil and natural gas prices to normalize gradually in 2027. The high prices already reached, together with more restrictive monetary policy, are expected to weigh on economic activity, particularly in Europe. The Middle East crisis remains the main risk to the forecast. A further escalation of geopolitical tensions could keep energy prices high for longer. The Ministry has therefore examined an alternative scenario with higher international energy prices and weaker external demand than assumed in its baseline forecast. Under that scenario, inflation in Bulgaria would be 0.6 percentage points higher than the baseline projection in 2026 and 0.3 percentage points higher in each of 2027 and 2028. Uncertainty abroad and more expensive raw materials would also constrain investment in Bulgaria, with the effect emerging later than for other components of final demand. Real GDP growth would be 0.1 percentage points below the baseline projection in both 2027 and 2028. Economy Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213377-vazrazhdane-presidential-candidate-kostadinov-presents-five-priorities-for-bulga https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213377-vazrazhdane-presidential-candidate-kostadinov-presents-five-priorities-for-bulga Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:54:00 +0300 Presidential candidate Kostadin Kostadinov, nominated by Vazrazhdane, presented five key priorities for Bulgaria at a meeting with supporters and citizens in Silistra's central square. They include the country's independence and prosperity, social unity, educational, scientific and cultural advancement, and a strong state. According to Kostadinov, independence means Bulgaria determining its own destiny, while prosperity is linked to security, stability and adequate incomes for citizens. He also highlighted overcoming divisions in society as a priority. The fourth priority is educational, scientific and cultural advancement. Kostadinov said this was necessary to ensure the country does not fall behind amid rapid developments in technology and artificial intelligence. The fifth is strengthening the state, which he linked to strong armed forces capable of guaranteeing the country's independence and territorial integrity and the security of its citizens. Kostadinov said that before the start of the campaign, Vazrazhdane conducted a survey through which the presidential ticket was selected. Nearly 17,000 people took part, he said. He added that his campaign meetings were aimed not only at party sympathizers but at a wider range of citizens. His goal is to visit all regional centres and at least 100 municipalities across the country. Bulgaria Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Alexander Levi https://www.bta.bg/en/bg-world/1213401-observances-september-29 https://www.bta.bg/en/bg-world/1213401-observances-september-29 Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:48:00 +0300 On this date in Bulgarian history: 1918: Armistice signed in Salonika between Bulgaria and Entente (Britain, France and Russia), taking Bulgaria out of World War I.  1952: Forty people, most of them Catholic priests, go on trial (until October 3, 1952) on charges of espionage and conspiracy in favour of Vatican and foreign intelligence services. 1974: Medical Academy of Sofia opens Medical Faculty in Pleven, North Central Bulgaria (renamed Higher Medical Institute in 1979, transformed into Medical University - Pleven in 2004). 1996: Princess Sayako of Japan arrives at Bulgarian Government's invitation and opens Days of Japanese Culture. President Zhelyu Zhelev receives Princess. 2008: Interior ministers of Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania sign trilateral agreement on cooperation in fight against crime, especially transnational crime. BG World Petya Petrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213364-assessment-of-possible-consequences-for-banking-sector-is-part-of-central-bank-s https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213364-assessment-of-possible-consequences-for-banking-sector-is-part-of-central-bank-s Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:47:00 +0300 Assessing the potential consequences of measures that may affect the banking sector, financial intermediation, lending conditions, and financial stability is part of the institutional functions and responsibilities of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). This was stated by the central bank in a clarification regarding public statements on the position of BNB Governor Dimitar Radev made on September 25. The press release was published on the BNB’s website after earlier on Monday, Minister of Finance Galab Donev told reporters that Radev was overstepping his authority with his stated position on the Government’s proposed tax on banks’ excess profits. The BNB notes that this approach is in line with the established practice of the Eurosystem in assessing measures affecting the banking sector. As explicitly stated in the September 25 position, decisions regarding tax and fiscal policy fall within the purview of the Government and the National Assembly, the press release states. Providing a professional assessment of the potential implications of these decisions for the financial system and the economy does not constitute participation in the political process, the central bank underscores. The BNB emphasizes that the independence of the central bank is a fundamental principle of the Eurosystem’s institutional framework. It requires the BNB and the members of its governing bodies to perform the functions entrusted to them and to formulate and present their professional assessments regardless of political positions. The Bulgarian National Bank will not participate in political debates, the statement further notes. The BNB will continue to perform its functions and present its professional assessments in accordance with its statutory mandate and the institutional framework of the European System of Central Banks and the Eurosystem, the central bank adds. In his statement last week, the BNB Governor warned that additional taxation on bank profits could lead to more expensive or less accessible credit, limit private investment, and increase the cost of government financing. Economy Dimitrina Solakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1213360-bulgarian-patriarch-daniil-visits-st-john-the-baptist-s-spring-and-jordan-river https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1213360-bulgarian-patriarch-daniil-visits-st-john-the-baptist-s-spring-and-jordan-river Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:18:00 +0300 Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil visited the spring of St John the Baptist and the Jordan River on September 28 during a visit to Jordan. Patriarch Daniil and the church delegation accompanying him arrived in Jordan earlier on Monday, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said. At the site where the Lord Jesus Christ was baptised by St John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Patriarch Daniel prayed for support and God’s blessing for Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and around the world. Patriarch Daniil also visited the spring of St John the Baptist, where it is believed that John the Forerunner lived. The area also contains caves that have been preserved to this day and where hermits once lived in ascetic retreat. Owing to its exceptional spiritual and historical significance, the site has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bulgarian church delegation was also welcomed at the Church of St John the Baptist. The two patriarchs and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad also visited the Jordan River, where the troparion of the Feast of the Epiphany was sung in Greek and Church Slavonic. The church delegation also visited the Orthodox Theological University of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan. Daniil’s irenic visit will continue until September 30. He arrived in Israel on September 25 for his first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He undertook the visit at Theophilos’s invitation and following a decision by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate. World https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213341-presidential-candidate-iotova-calls-for-dialogue-among-institutions-during-popov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213341-presidential-candidate-iotova-calls-for-dialogue-among-institutions-during-popov Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:08:04 +0300 Presidential candidate Iliana Iotova said in Popovo that the need for dialogue and cooperation among institutions will be a key focus of her campaign. She presented her positions on issues including young people, education, security and the international situation. Iotova said Bulgarian institutions must work together as required by the Constitution, stressing the importance not only of listening but of being responsive, as well as of compromise, dialogue and reason. She said checks and balances among the branches of government are necessary, but when citizens' interests are at stake, institutions should seek common solutions. On young people, Iotova identified uncertainty over career prospects, incomes and housing as key problems. She said this should be a major concern for all institutions and called for a national programme bringing together the available forms of support for young people. Talking about the campaign she is conducting with her running mate Kiril Valchev, Iotova said: "We will continue to highlight the major issues facing Bulgaria, explain our proposals, seek your support, and look for more allies across the political spectrum." She said she would continue meeting citizens in different parts of the country because she wanted to hear and answer their questions, and then let "people make up their own minds". Bulgaria Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Boryana Dimitrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213310-finance-minister-accuses-head-of-central-bank-of-interfering-in-politics https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213310-finance-minister-accuses-head-of-central-bank-of-interfering-in-politics Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:04:56 +0300 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev told reporters on Monday that Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Governor Dimitar Radev's statement from September 25 goes beyond Radev's authority and appears to be an interference in the political status quo. On September 25, the head of the central bank warned that the proposed additional tax on bank profits could lead to more expensive or less accessible loans, restrict private investment and increase the cost of government financing. Donev stated that the BNB Governor should not take a political stance on such issues. The minister characterized Radev's position as interference in the political situation. Regarding the concerns expressed by Radev that an excess profits tax on banks could affect the cost of credit in Bulgaria, Donev stated that these are mere insinuations. Donev noted that the draft legislation was posted last week, while on September 25, Fitch Ratings revised the outlook on Bulgaria's credit rating to positive from stable and affirmed the country's BBB+ rating, as reported by the Finance Ministry the following day. He added that if there were concerns about the investment climate in the country, the agency would hardly have upgraded the country's outlook. The minister said that, if necessary, official data will be released showing the percentage of excess profits in the country, noting that it reaches several hundred percent. He added: "Is this normal? Is it normal for these excess profits to be taken out of Bulgaria – not to be reinvested in Bulgaria, not to support Bulgarian businesses, not to support the Bulgarian treasury, and everything else that follows from that?". Donev stated that the specified period, on the basis of which the existence of excess profits will be determined, is appropriate, since it was precisely during this period that high profit growth was achieved not due to productivity, investments aimed at increasing efficiency, or improvements, but as a result of market conditions. Donev reported that next year's budget provides for cost-cutting measures, not just revenue-generating ones. Commenting on proposals to increase tax breaks for families with children, the finance minister clarified that these are long-term measures and will not be funded by the one-time tax on excess profits. Economy Nikolay Zabov Martin Lekov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1213303-bulgarian-film-lust-wins-perspectiff-award-in-tirana https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1213303-bulgarian-film-lust-wins-perspectiff-award-in-tirana Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:50:21 +0300 Bulgarian feature film Lust, directed by Ralitza Petrova, has won the PerspecTIFF Award at the 24th Tirana International Film Festival, the Bulgarian National Film Centre (NFC) said on Monday. The film competed in the festival’s PerspecTIFF section. The award recognized Lust for its insightful, disillusioned view of contemporary Bulgaria and for moving beyond social drama to explore alienation, desire and inheritance on a deeply personal level, NFC said. Lust stars Snejanka Mihaylova, Nikola Mutafov, Mihail Milchev and Alexis Atmadjov. Julian Atanassov is the film’s cinematographer. A co-production between Bulgaria, Denmark and Sweden, it was made with financial support from the NFC. Written by Petrova, the film follows Lilian, a prison psychologist who confronts her past after the death of a father she had not known. Petrova described Lust as a psychodrama moving between mystery, the imaginary and the ghostly, exploring how absence unsettles control and sometimes creates an opening, NFC said. Atanassov won the Best Cinematography Award at the 44th edition of the Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival in Varna. The Critics’ Guild of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers also gave Lust its award for a feature film at the festival. Five films with Bulgarian participation were selected for the Tirana International Film Festival, held from September 21 to 27 in the Albanian capital. Alongside Lust, the programme included the short films Golishar, written and directed by Georgi Martev; Spray and Pray, a Bulgarian-German co-production by Veneta Androva; and Dogs Have No Dreams, written and directed by Hanis Bagashov and co-produced by North Macedonia, Slovenia and Bulgaria. It also included the animated film Club 127, written and directed by Svilen Dimitrov. Culture Petya Dikova Marina Chertova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1212929-council-of-european-union-identifies-first-five-defence-projects-of-common-inter https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1212929-council-of-european-union-identifies-first-five-defence-projects-of-common-inter Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:06:00 +0300 The Council of the European Union said on Monday that it has approved the first five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and industrial capacity. The projects will bring European countries together to develop critical capabilities in drones and counter-drone systems, maritime and seabed defence, space, air and missile defence, and the protection of Europe’s eastern flank. The new EDPCIs will contribute to the development of the military capabilities of EU Member States and are too large or complex to be implemented independently by individual countries. The five selected projects include addressing existing capability gaps in drone production (DECODER), detecting threats in the maritime environment and deterring adversaries (IMSD), using satellites for early warning of missile launches, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance, precision positioning systems and time synchronization (space). The development of capabilities for the rapid deployment of replacement satellites into orbit when necessary is also envisaged. The project for a connected EU air and missile defence system (EU-FIAMD), including early warning, envisages coordinated command and control. The project for protecting the EU’s eastern regions (EFW) covers the land, air, maritime and cyber domains, as well as other areas, with the aim of protecting the territory and strengthening defence readiness. Bulgaria is participating in two of projects: DECODER (DronE and Counter Drone European Resolve) and IMSD (Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence). Their projected cost is between EUR 3.5-5 billion and EUR 43-72 billion respectively. World Momchil Rusev BTA correspondent Nickolay Jeliazkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213325-national-early-warning-sirens-to-be-tested-in-sofia-on-thursday https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213325-national-early-warning-sirens-to-be-tested-in-sofia-on-thursday Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:26:07 +0300 Sofia will test the National Early Warning and Public Alert System across the capital on Thursday, Sofia Municipality said on Monday. The test will take place on October 1, 2026, the municipality said in a notice to residents and visitors. It follows Interior Ministry instructions and will check the system’s technical readiness and operation. The sirens will sound during the test. People need not take any action, and there is no cause for concern, the municipality said. Bulgaria Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213302-southern-ruse-makaza-motorway-section-to-be-ready-for-concession-in-18-months-r https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1213302-southern-ruse-makaza-motorway-section-to-be-ready-for-concession-in-18-months-r Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:14:25 +0300 Bulgaria will be ready to offer a concession for the southern Ruse-Makaza motorway section in 18 months, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov said on Monday. By then, the State expects to have the designs and procedures in place for the Veliko Tarnovo-Makaza section. No EU funding is available for that stretch, so it will seek private investment through a concession, Shishkov said. EU funding has been secured for the northern section from Ruse to Veliko Tarnovo, including the Byala bypass. “In a year and a half, we will be ready to offer the motorway as a concession. After that, however long concession negotiations and the technical design take, the timetable will be quite different once we have reached that stage,” Shishkov told reporters in Kardzhali. Shishkov met Kardzhali Regional Governor Biser Nikolov and mayors from the region as part of the Regions Speak initiative. He cited widespread errors in cadastral maps as a serious structural problem affecting many regional centres, including Kardzhali. Shishkov said the inaccuracies hinder municipal and State projects as well as private initiatives by residents. The State will commission comprehensive corrections to the maps on its own initiative, he added, because the problem is widespread and cannot be resolved by individual property owners. Economy BTA correspondent Valentina Stoeva Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1213291-romanian-culinary-archaeologist-gives-bulgaria-10-plus-for-food https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1213291-romanian-culinary-archaeologist-gives-bulgaria-10-plus-for-food Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:07:37 +0300 Romanian culinary archaeologist Mircea Groza is a well-known figure in the field of traditional Romanian gastronomy. Over the years, he has devoted himself to finding and preserving old recipes and promoting culinary traditions. BTA met him at the Soup Festival in Bucharest, where he was cooking alongside Bulgarian women from Izvoarele. Groza, 73, is from Salaj County in Transylvania and has been researching gastronomy and food for 40 years, which he describes as his passion. Groza said he had greatly enjoyed his “gastronomic espionage” and considered it an honour to have had the opportunity to work with two very good cooks and hosts from Izvoarele, Teleorman County. He said the pigeon soup they were preparing was made only there and that he had taken part in the entire preparation process. He added that he had also had the opportunity to learn some of the local language and discover new things, including how the tradition of the dish had been passed down from generation to generation. One of the women had told him that, when she was a child, her family kept hundreds of pigeons at home. Groza said that people selling pigeons still came to auctions and markets in that part of Romania. He said he had worked in the tourism sector for 50 years and knew how important culinary traditions were to tourism and to tourist groups visiting Romania. He said he was trying to preserve traditional and old recipes from his home county and had documented more than 2,000 old recipes over the years, many of which were unfortunately no longer prepared. Some of these recipes were included in Groza’s book dedicated entirely to traditional Transylvanian soups and chowders, “Zamuri – supe, zupe si nacreli (retete ardelenesti din batrani).” The book was a major success and was named the best cookbook in Eastern Europe at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Saudi Arabia. The book contains 182 authentic recipes collected directly from elderly people in villages across Romania’s Salaj County. They are presented in the distinctive local Transylvanian dialect through phonetic transcriptions of the way people spoke 180 years ago, with the aim of preserving not only culinary traditions but also the region’s linguistic heritage. Groza joked that although the book had received international recognition, it could not be translated because of its distinctive language. Asked whether he had previously had the opportunity to cook with Bulgarians, Groza recalled an encounter 10 years ago at the Fortress Cultural Port near Calafat, owned by Romanian poet Mircea Dinescu. For five consecutive years, Dinescu had organised an international film and gastronomy festival under the theme “10 Countries, 10 Gastronomies, 10 Films,” with each of the 10 days dedicated to a different country. Groza said that at one edition he attended, a Bulgarian chef had also been invited. He could not remember the chef’s name, but recalled that he was a very well-known Bulgarian cook who had hosted numerous television programmes. The chef was Petar “Uti” Bachvarov. Groza said they had cooked together at the festival. Groza said Bulgarians used many high-quality vegetables, often combined with different types of meat. He said similarities between the Bulgarian and Romanian cuisines but said Bulgarian vegetables were particularly good. He also praised Bulgarian salads, juices and wines. Groza said he had visited Bulgaria many times, including the seaside, Albena and Kaliakra, and had always sought out traditional taverns rather than upscale restaurants because he wanted to eat like the locals. He said he was also impressed that many of the people he had met during his travels in Bulgaria spoke Romanian. Groza said everyone he had encountered had been able to communicate with them, describing this as remarkable. He added that he respected Bulgarian tourism and considered it, particularly in the country’s tourist areas, to be much more developed than tourism in Romania. He said the situation was different in Bulgarian villages, however. Travelling from Calafat or through the villages near Ruse, he had seen places with little or no life, abandoned farms and almost deserted villages, with hardly anyone on the streets even during the day. At times he had seen people working in the fields, but said he did not like what he had observed. Nevertheless, he concluded that when it came to food, he would give Bulgaria a “10 plus”. Groza also recalled meeting Bulgarians at a major international festival in Turin. He said he had visited the Bulgarian pavilion and had been particularly impressed by the plum marmalade, which he had never seen or tasted anywhere else in the world. He also praised Bulgaria’s wines and dairy products. Asked about his favourite soup and the seasoning he could not do without, Groza said he liked the soups of his childhood, particularly sweet soups with meat. He described clear, transparent soup as a kind of medicine that was particularly beneficial for children’s growth or when they had a cold. As for seasonings, he said he preferred simple, traditional ingredients used by his grandmothers, such as salt, pepper, thyme, lovage and dill. Other seasonings could be found in shops, he said, but soups could not be made without those traditional ingredients. Finally, Groza was asked what Bulgarians visiting Romania for the first time should try at all costs. He recommended eating in a rural household or at so-called local gastronomic points, where homemade food is prepared. Visitors should try Romanian soups, stuffed cabbage rolls and stews, he said, adding that Romania also had excellent cheeses and wines. Among them, he highlighted the sheep’s-milk Branza de Burduf cheese, which, he said, was not produced in many countries. Balkans BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213278-bulgarian-fm-petrova-japanese-ambassador-chikahisa-sumi-discuss-expanding-bilat https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213278-bulgarian-fm-petrova-japanese-ambassador-chikahisa-sumi-discuss-expanding-bilat Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:50:04 +0300 Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova and Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria Chikahisa Sumi discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation and deepen the established strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Japan, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said here Monday. Priority areas identified during the meeting included trade and economic relations, investment, energy, tourism, science and technology, as well as educational and cultural exchanges, the Ministry said. The two officials also focused on opportunities to promote educational and youth exchanges through various programmes that would enable young people to learn more about each other’s countries. Minister Petrova welcomed the established cooperation between the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and Japan’s RIKEN scientific research institute. The partnership covers areas of artificial intelligence including robotics, machine learning and computer vision, the Foreign Ministry said. “Areas such as business and scientific research are advancing faster than government action,” the Bulgaria's top diplomat said. Petrova added that this country should take advantage of the opportunities being created and actively support the implementation of initiatives with significant potential. The two sides also underscored the key importance of connectivity in the current geopolitical context. “Connectivity means the implementation of concrete projects and partnerships, and this is precisely where Bulgaria’s efforts are focused,” Petrova said. In early March, then caretaker Innovation and Growth Minister Irena Mladenova met with Japanese Ambassador Chikahisa Sumi to discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation in investment, innovation and high technology. Bulgaria Metodi Yordanov Aleksandar Tasev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213167-constitutional-court-to-mark-35th-anniversary-with-international-conference https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213167-constitutional-court-to-mark-35th-anniversary-with-international-conference Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:46:10 +0300 Bulgaria's Constitutional Court will hold an international conference at the Central Military Club in Sofia on October 15 to mark its 35th anniversary, the court reported on Monday. The forum will be the conclusion of a series of events marking the development of constitutional justice in Bulgaria. Officials and delegations from constitutional jurisdictions in 31 countries across Europe, Asia and Africa will arrive in Bulgaria to take part in discussions on the role of constitutional courts in upholding the rule of law. Current issues concerning the composition and independence of constitutional courts, the implementation of their decisions by other state bodies, and the practice of constitutional jurisdictions in times of crisis will be on the agenda. The conference will be opened by Pavlina Panova, President of Bulgaria's Constitutional Court. Addresses will be made by Eirik Holmoyvik, Vice-President of the Venice Commission; Alexander Kornezov, Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union; Mariyana Kancheva, Judge at the General Court of the European Union; and Diana Kovacheva, Judge at the European Court of Human Rights. Koen Lenaerts, President of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights, will address the forum via video messages. More than 50 officials and delegates from Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Egypt, Italy, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Turkiye will take part in the three working panels. The Constitutional Court launched the series of events marking the 35th anniversary of its establishment in April. The first event was a ceremony in Veliko Tarnovo to mark the Day of the Bulgarian Constitution. Bulgaria Petya Dikova Marin Kolev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213273-fire-near-sliven-localized-no-injuries-reported https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1213273-fire-near-sliven-localized-no-injuries-reported Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:30:44 +0300 A fire that broke out in a villa zone near Sliven and the nearby village of Sotirya has been localized, with no injuries reported and no need for evacuation at this stage, the Sliven Regional Fire Safety and Civil Protection Service told BTA. A spreading fire in the eastern parts of Sliven prompted local authorities to activate the BG-ALERT emergency warning system earlier on Monday.  The signal was received at 2:06 p.m. on Monday. Five firefighting teams from Sliven, two from Nova Zagora and one from Tvarditsa were sent to the scene. Assistance was also requested from the nearby town of Yambol. One firefighting team remains on standby in the city and is ready to respond if necessary. The fire affected about eight hectares, spreading through yards and grass-covered areas. Police were also at the scene. Residents in the area had been prepared for a possible evacuation, but one was not deemed necessary. According to preliminary information, the likely cause of the fire was a technical fault in high-voltage equipment that produced a spark. Another fire was reported near Sliven earlier in the day, at 1:37 p.m. Three firefighting teams were initially sent to the scene. The fire has been extinguished and there are currently no problems. Both fires have been brought under control. Shortly after 3 p.m., Sliven Regional Governor Mihail Kasherov activated the BG-ALERT emergency warning system because of a spreading fire in the eastern part of the city. Firefighting efforts were hampered by strong winds reaching speeds of 72 km/h. The Sliven Municipality press office also said that electricity had been temporarily interrupted in several villages during the day but had since been restored. Continuous communication is being maintained with mayors and local representatives in the settlements, while emergency teams and volunteers remain on standby if needed. Bulgaria BTA correspondent Velina Vasileva Metodi Yordanov