https://www.bta.bg/en/rss/free Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:05:35 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145055-number-of-tourist-nights-spent-down-revenues-up-in-april-2026-y-y-official-s https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145055-number-of-tourist-nights-spent-down-revenues-up-in-april-2026-y-y-official-s Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:58:05 +0300 The total number of nights spent at accommodation establishments in Bulgaria in April 2026 was 1,041,400, or 3.2% less than in April 2025, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday. Bulgarian residents spent 731,900 nights, and non-residents 309,500. In April 2026, the total revenues from nights spent increased by 12.3% compared to the same month of 2025, reaching EUR 57.8 million (EUR 37.8 million from Bulgarian residents and EUR 20.0 million from non-residents)  In March 2026, revenues from nights spent increased by 11 percentage points, year on year, and reached EUR 60.3 million. The total occupancy of bed-places was 22.3% in April 2026, down by 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Four- and five-star accommodation establishments reported the highest occupancy of bed-places, 26.6%, followed by 21.8% in three-star establishments and 15.8% in one- and two-star establishments. Economy Ekaterina Toteva Lyubomir Gigov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144986-vazrazhdane-to-submit-bill-for-ukraine-aid-ban-and-veto-of-eu-sanctions-against- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144986-vazrazhdane-to-submit-bill-for-ukraine-aid-ban-and-veto-of-eu-sanctions-against- Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:55:35 +0300 Vazrazhdane Floor Leader Kostadin Kostadinov said here on Thursday that his parliamentary group will submit draft bills to Parliament aimed at prohibiting the sale of and re-export of weapons to Ukraine. Speaking in Parliament, he claimed that the bills will be accompanied by a proposal to ban every form of aid for Ukraine from Bulgaria.  Kostadinov argued that Progressive Bulgaria, which has a parliamentary majority, has deceived people by promising improvement of Bulgarian relations with Russia. He noted that Vazrazhdane will bring in a proposal which will oblige the executive to vote against the sanctions foreseen in the 21st sanctions package.  Kostadinov accused Prime Minister Rumen Radev and his Government of having spread “three huge misconceptions”. According to Kostadinov the first of them was the statement made by Radev and the Defence Minister on Wednesday that they were about to cease the aid for Ukraine, while last week Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Chamova argued that Bulgaria continues to actively support Ukraine. Kostadinov highlighted the change of position of the Defence Minister who made a statement on Wednesday that Bulgaria in fact will continue to sell weapons to Ukraine.  Vazrazhdane's Floor Leader commented on the Government measure to negotiate a price decrease of basic foods with big retail chains, expressing his concern that local producers will get “squeezed” by this measure.  According to Kostadinov the assertion from last week that the US air force planes will not be permitted to stay at Sofia Airport was misleading since they are still there: "I can bet that they will be staying at the airport even after June 30". He added that the war in Ukraine is particularly beneficial for Bulgarian oligarchs who multiply their fortune.  Bulgaria Liliya Yordanova Yoana Kancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145039-consumer-watchdog-chair-sees-fewer-labeling-breaches-but-more-unjustified-price- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145039-consumer-watchdog-chair-sees-fewer-labeling-breaches-but-more-unjustified-price- Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:48:47 +0300 Cases of violations of double price labelling are decreasing and cases of price increases that are not economically justified are increasing, said the Chair of the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), Alexander Kolyachev, in Parliament on Thursday.  "Whether there is double labeling or not is determined by our inspectors when they go on inspections. They are planned, massive, on different scales, so when such a thing is established, regardless of whether it is for a small or large vendor, appropriate actions are taken under the law," commented Kolyachev.  Kolyachev pointed out that on Thursday, the MPs adopted on second reading a Bill to supplement the Consumer Protection Act which prohibits economically unjustified increases in consumer prices and obliges traders to publish selling prices on the internet every day. He described the Bill as a continuation of the current Act on the Introduction of the Euro. According to him, the changes will create pro-competitive conditions and will facilitate the work of regulators.  He explained in response to a question about whether double fines will help prevent more violations that increasing sanctions will have a restrictive effect on companies, as companies must comply with the legislation. According to him, many vendors have been sanctioned, especially when setting illegally high prices. "Some of the chains also fall into this scope, I cannot say how much this part is," said the CCP Chair.  Economy Petra Kurteva Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1145063-sunny-beach-central-retains-blue-flag-award-for-2026-summer-season https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1145063-sunny-beach-central-retains-blue-flag-award-for-2026-summer-season Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:42:56 +0300 Sunny Beach-Central has retained its prestigious Blue Flag award for the 2026 summer season, the beach operator told BTA on Thursday. The beach regained Blue Flag status in 2019 under new management and has successfully renewed the award every year since. They emphasized that water quality is regularly monitored through laboratory testing, while daily cleaning and waste-sorting measures help maintain a clean environment. The beach will remain fully supervised until the end of September.  Blue Flag is a voluntary certification programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international organization with members from over 80 countries. It has operated for nearly 40 years, annually evaluating and certifying beaches, marinas, and tourism vessels. Currently, around 5,200 sites worldwide participate in the programme, including Bulgarian beaches and marinas. BTA will present all 32 Bulgarian beaches and ports awarded with the Blue Flag in 2026 by the international jury of the Copenhagen Programme. The first Blue Flag in Bulgaria was raised on Sunny Beach on July 4, 1995. Bulgaria Filip Pavlov BTA correspondent Galya Teneva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145049-black-sea-hotel-operators-tourism-remains-resilient-despite-market-challenges https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1145049-black-sea-hotel-operators-tourism-remains-resilient-despite-market-challenges Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:36:38 +0300 The summer tourist season along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast will be challenging, but the industry's expectations remain optimistic, representatives of hotel operators from the Northern and Southern Black Sea coast said during the Black Sea Business Meeting in Burgas on Thursday. The event was organized by the newspaper Capital.  Desislava Dimitrova, founder of DES Management and a representative of hoteliers from the Northern Black Sea coast, noted that consumer demand has changed significantly and that businesses must adapt. She pointed out that the coastal city of Varna is celebrating 105 years as a tourist destination and continues to develop despite various challenges. “Tourism is resilient and continues to grow. Our forecast is positive,” Dimitrova emphasized. In the context of digitalization, Dimitrova warned that online visibility has become a mandatory condition for survival in the industry, as more than 40% of Europeans now use AI for their vacations. She urged small and medium-sized hotels to find ways to adapt to new technologies. Silvia Kyoseva, co-owner and general manager of the Flamingo Grand Hotel in the Sunny Beach resort, identified changing consumer behavior as the main challenge, noting that more tourists have been making last-minute bookings after the covid pandemic. She added that this is not a negative trend but rather one that requires a more proactive approach from hoteliers. Both representatives from the hotel industry agreed that extending the tourist season by holding sports, cultural and scientific events is a realistic strategy that has already been implemented to develop the Black Sea region beyond the traditional summer period.  The event brought together business representatives, local government officials, and experts to discuss the potential and challenges facing the Black Sea region. Topics on the agenda also include the future of the local economy from the perspective of the mayors of Burgas and Varna and the development of the airports in both regional cities. Economy Filip Pavlov BTA correspondent Galya Teneva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1145034-law-enforcers-crack-down-on-dangerous-driving https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1145034-law-enforcers-crack-down-on-dangerous-driving Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:32:01 +0300 Law enforcers are launching a large-scale crackdown on dangerous driving, Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said in a Facebook post on Thursday. He reported a specialized information on a tipoff about the gathering of 94 powerful motorcycles and 11 sports cars at a filling station in Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria). Police identified a total of 107 individuals and checked them for plans to engage in illegal street racing and drifting. "This is just the beginning. The Interior Ministry will be completely uncompromising," Demerdzhiev warned. Bulgaria Marin Kolev Lyubomir Gigov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1145031-new-marble-statue-fragments-discovered-at-ancient-heraclea-sintica https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1145031-new-marble-statue-fragments-discovered-at-ancient-heraclea-sintica Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:31:33 +0300 A marble torso was discovered during archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica near Petrich, said on Thursday Lyudmil Vagalinski of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, who leads the excavations at the ancient city.  The find was made in the area of the eastern end of the forum and might date to the Roman Imperial period. According to the archaeologists' initial assumptions, the discovered fragment is part of a marble statue that may depict the deity Apollo or Dionysus. Fieldwork is continuing, and the team is excavating the area around the find in order to identify additional elements of the sculpture and determine its context.  "We are very close to the eastern end of the forum, so it is normal for such finds to emerge. We hope to discover better-preserved parts that will provide a more complete picture of the statue," Vagalinski pointed out. He also noted that this is the third similar marble fragment discovered in the area in recent years, with two comparable artifacts found earlier which are already on display at the Petrich History Museum.  The discovery comes just one day after archaeologists unearthed part of a marble statue of a goddess in the area of the Temple of Heracles. The newly found fragment consists of a base with the sandaled feet of a human figure and is believed to be part of a sculptural representation of Artemis. Comparative analyses of the marble will be carried out with specialists from Sofia University, while ongoing excavations around the temple may reveal additional pieces of the statue.   Culture BTA correspondent Denitsa Kyuchukova Filip Pavlov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144994-deputy-foreign-minister-spanish-ambassador-discuss-bilateral-cooperation https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144994-deputy-foreign-minister-spanish-ambassador-discuss-bilateral-cooperation Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:22:52 +0300 The long-standing constructive cooperation between Bulgaria and Spain and the partnership on key topics on the European agenda were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivanka Tasheva and the Ambassador of Spain to Bulgaria Miguel Alonso Berrio here on Thursday. The topics of cohesion, common agricultural policies, the multiannual financial framework and enlargement policy were also discussed, as announced by the press centre of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The importance of the Bulgarian community in Spain for the development of the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries was emphasized during the meeting. Deputy Minister Tasheva thanked Spain for its consistent support for Bulgaria's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which she described as among the key foreign policy priorities of Bulgaria.   In early June 2026, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Spain, Velislava Petrova and Jose Manuel Alvarez Bueno, respectively, discussed the good bilateral relations and confirmed their shared commitment to further deepening them.  Bulgaria Atanas Malakchiev Desislava Peeva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144966-minister-dimitrov-participates-in-un-tourism-s-executive-council-session-meets- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144966-minister-dimitrov-participates-in-un-tourism-s-executive-council-session-meets- Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:36:30 +0300 Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov took part in the 126th session of UN Tourism's Executive Council in Toledo, Spain, on June 10 and 11, the Ministry's press centre reported Thursday. Within the forum, he held a series of meetings with key representatives of the global tourism industry, including the ministers of tourism of Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, China, Montenegro, Indonesia, and Greece. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation and exploring new opportunities for tourism development. Bulgarian Ambassador to Spain Todor Stoyanov also participated in the meetings and provided active support for Bulgaria’s presentation. Among the main topics was the improvement of air connectivity and the development of direct routes, which contribute to attracting more tourists and encouraging investment in the sector.  “In Bulgaria, tourism is a driving force for the local economy and employment. It is important to work actively with key partners from different regions of the world,” said Dimitrov. He presented Bulgaria’s advantages in the fields of cultural, historical, maritime, winter, spa, and health tourism. The idea of cooperation between educational institutions and tourism organizations was also discussed, with the aim of training personnel and improving the quality of tourism services. Emphasis was also placed on organizing joint initiatives to promote tourist destinations. Bulgaria is a member of the UN Tourism Executive Council with a mandate until 2027, which gives the country the opportunity to participate directly in discussions on important decisions concerning the development of global tourism, the Tourism Ministry recalls. World Dimitrina Solakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144984-acting-prosecutor-general-seeks-lifting-of-vazrazhdane-mp-angel-georgiev-s-immun https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144984-acting-prosecutor-general-seeks-lifting-of-vazrazhdane-mp-angel-georgiev-s-immun Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:31:29 +0300 Acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova has submitted a request to the 52nd National Assembly seeking permission to continue criminal proceedings against Vazrazhdane MP Angel Georgiev. Announcing the request at the start of a plenary sitting here on Thursday, National Assembly Chair Mihaela Dotsova said it concerns an ongoing criminal case before the Sofia Regional Court. The proceedings relate to charges under Article 131, Paragraph 2, Item 3 of the Criminal Code, which concerns causing bodily injury to a judge, prosecutor, investigator, police officer, investigating police officer, state bailiff, or other protected public official. The prosecuting magistracy said the request was submitted by the Sofia Regional Prosecutor’s Office and is linked to criminal proceedings that were suspended by a ruling of the Sofia Regional Court on April 24, 2026, due to Georgiev’s immunity as MP.  Under a decision of the Central Election Commission dated April 24, 2026, Georgiev was declared elected as a member of parliament. After taking the oath of office on April 30, 2026, he acquired parliamentary immunity. Georgiev has been committed to trial as a defendant on charges including causing bodily injury to a police officer motivated by hooliganism, as well as other offenses under the Criminal Code. The offenses for which Georgiev has been indicted are publicly prosecutable crimes. The continuation of the criminal proceedings against him before the Sofia Regional Court can take place only with the authorization of the National Assembly or with the written consent of the lawmaker. Bulgaria Metodi Yordanov Lilia Yordanova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1144954-average-contributory-income-in-bulgaria-reaches-eur-1-034-85-in-april https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1144954-average-contributory-income-in-bulgaria-reaches-eur-1-034-85-in-april Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:04:13 +0300 The average monthly contributory income in Bulgaria stood at EUR 1,034.85 in April 2026, the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) said here on Thursday. The average monthly contributory income for the period from the beginning of May 2025 through the end of April 2026 amounted to EUR 983.28. The average monthly contributory income determined for this period is used in calculating the amounts of newly granted pensions in May 2026, in accordance with the Social Security Code, the NSSI added. The average contributory income in March 2026 was EUR 1,024.31. Economy Desislava Peeva Metodi Yordanov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144936-measles-cases-in-bulgaria-reach-364-including-300-children https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144936-measles-cases-in-bulgaria-reach-364-including-300-children Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:38:08 +0300 A total of 364 people have contracted measles in Bulgaria, including 300 children, according to information published on the Health Ministry's website Thursday. The data are current as of June 8, 2026. Measles cases have been registered in nine regions across the country.   The highest number of cases has been reported in Vratsa Region, with 198 infections. Additional cases have been recorded in Pleven Region (101), Lovech Region (41), Montana Region (11), Sofia City (7), Varna Region (3), Vidin Region (1), Sofia Region (1), and Targovishte Region (1). Of those infected, 187 had not been vaccinated due to being below the eligible age for immunization or for other reasons, while the immunization status of 33 patients is unknown. For the remaining cases, there is evidence that vaccination had been administered. Since the beginning of the outbreak this year, 39,799 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine have been administered in Bulgaria. Vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is mandatory in Bulgaria. The vaccine is administered at 13 months of age, with a second dose given at 12 years of age. Bulgaria Metodi Yordanov Desislava Peeva https://www.bta.bg/en/bg-world/1144922-roses-of-bulgaria-festival-in-sao-paolo-to-bring-together-representatives-of-bul https://www.bta.bg/en/bg-world/1144922-roses-of-bulgaria-festival-in-sao-paolo-to-bring-together-representatives-of-bul Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:33:20 +0300 This year’s edition of the Roses of Bulgaria Festival in Sao Paulo will take place at the Immigration Museum on June 14, the team of the Bulgarian School in Sao Paulo said on Facebook. The cultural event is organized by the Bulgarian School in cooperation with the Bulgarian Embassy in Brazil, at the initiative of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.  “We invite all members of the Bulgarian community in Brazil to join us in welcoming and sending off the first graduating class of 2026, who have completed their secondary education. A celebration, a day of Bulgaria in Brazil, that will move you!” the Facebook post reads. The Roses of Bulgaria Festival was established in 2018. The programme includes musical performances, tastings of traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and concludes with a traditional horo chain dance.  The Bulgarian School in Sao Paulo is the first Bulgarian school in Brazil and, to date, the only Bulgarian educational centre in South America. It was established in 2009 with the initial aim of offering a Bulgarian language course and educational opportunities to Bulgarians from various waves of emigration, as well as to children from mixed marriages from all states of Brazil and throughout South America. Currently, the school teaches students from pre-school through 12th grade, who are taught Bulgarian language and literature, as well as Bulgarian history and geography, following adapted curricula from the Bulgarian Education Ministry. BG World Dimitrina Solakova Rumena Mladenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1144924-deputy-pm-and-finance-minister-donev-to-participate-in-european-stability-mechan https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1144924-deputy-pm-and-finance-minister-donev-to-participate-in-european-stability-mechan Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:24:00 +0300 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev will participate on Thursday for the first time in a meeting of the European Stability Mechanism in Luxembourg. Bulgaria’s accession to the fund was ratified by the National Assembly on May 20, 2026. This is a natural continuation of this country’s full membership in the euro area and further strengthens Bulgaria’s participation in the common European financial architecture, the Bulgarian Finance Ministry said here on Thursday. Minister Donev will then take part in the regular meeting of the European Union’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and in a meeting of the Eurogroup. The meetings will be held in Luxembourg on June 11 and 12, 2026. Deputy Minister Metodi Metodiev will also participate. During the ECOFIN Council meeting, held within the framework of the 2026 European Semester, the European Commission will present its Spring Package, which provides economic and fiscal guidance to the Member States. The ministers will hold a policy debate on the Market Integration and Supervision Package and will approve amendments to the recovery and resilience plans of Spain, Poland, Belgium, Portugal and Slovakia. During the Eurogroup meeting, participants will discuss the macroeconomic and fiscal situation in the euro area. Economy Metodi Yordanov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1144912-national-information-event-on-bulgaria-s-cultural-tourism-routes-opens-in-plovdi https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1144912-national-information-event-on-bulgaria-s-cultural-tourism-routes-opens-in-plovdi Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:14:00 +0300 A national information event “Cultural Routes – Bulgaria 2026,” opens in Plovdiv on Thrusday. In the course of two days, the event in Plovdiv and nearby Hisarya will showcase Bulgaria’s potential for full participation in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme through the application of innovative tools for interpreting and promoting natural and cultural heritage, promoting inter-institutional and cross-sectoral cooperation, particularly between academia and business, the development of cultural and ecological tourism, as well as through the development and certification of new cultural routes. Key participants in the forum include Prof. Slavia Barlieva, Chair of the Organizing Committee (OC); Dr. Elka Zlateva, Chief Coordinator and member of the OC; Ameliya Gesheva, an expert in the field of culture and cultural heritage; and others. A plenary lecture on the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes as a tool for sustainable development and cultural diplomacy will be delivered by Rui Gomes, Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes in Luxembourg and Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes. The national information event is part of the Tourism Ministry initiative to designate 2026 as the Year of Cultural Tourism. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Tourism, the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and the Heritage BG Center of Excellence, with the support of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of Plovdiv, and the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. BTA is a media partner of the forum. Culture Dimitrina Solakova BTA Correspondent Tanya Blagova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1144906-st-stephen-iron-church-in-istanbul-hosts-exhibition-of-contemporary-turkish-ar https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1144906-st-stephen-iron-church-in-istanbul-hosts-exhibition-of-contemporary-turkish-ar Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:05:17 +0300 The St Stephen "Iron" Church in Istanbul hosts an exhibition themed “Sofia - Istanbul: A Bridge of Art. Continuation in Istanbul” on Thursday. It is a continuation of the exhibition of the same name that opened in Sofia in December 2025. The large-scale cultural project continues its journey in Istanbul with a presentation of works by contemporary Turkish artists whose creative careers are linked to Bulgaria, the exhibition organizers from the Enakor auction house in Sofia told BTA. The project is dedicated to the cultural dialogue between Sofia and Istanbul - two cities connected by history, memory, and creative exchange. The choice of the Iron Church as the venue for the exhibition stems from the fact that the church is an iconic site of profound historical and spiritual significance, a symbol of the meeting of cultures and traditions.  The works included in the exhibition explore themes of belonging, identity, and movement between different cultural spaces, transforming the exhibition into a bridge between personal histories and contemporary artistic thought.  The exhibition will then move on to the Istiklal Art Gallery in Istanbul, where it will be on display from August 1 to 16. The 130-year-old St Stephen "Iron" Church is a valuable monument of Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage in Turkiye. Following the extensive restoration of the Bulgarian church in 2018, the ground floor was converted into a museum space where historical artifacts are displayed and art exhibitions are organized.  Balkans Dimitrina Solakova BTA exclusive by Nahide Deniz https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144873-romanian-foreign-minister-economic-integration-in-southeast-europe-increases-co https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144873-romanian-foreign-minister-economic-integration-in-southeast-europe-increases-co Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:19:00 +0300 In an interview with BTA here on Wednesday, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said that economic integration in Southeast Europe can increase economic opportunities and the regional countries' ability to handle global competition. These states will all benefit more if they succeed in better integrating their economies. Toiu was in Bulgaria for the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit, during which Romania assumed the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office. Speaking to BTA, Toiu outlined the three main priorities of the Romanian Chairmanship-in-Office in the fields of politics, economy, and investment in the future, young people, and society as a whole. Romania and Bulgaria have long supported the EU enlargement process because it directly affects their neighbours, she said. She also emphasized the negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, as the Union’s budget includes components related to enlargement, infrastructure, connectivity, and border security. According to her, all these areas directly affect the countries of Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. The Romanian Foreign Minister also highlighted the benefits for Romania and Bulgaria of economic integration within the EU, noting that bilateral trade has surpassed the EUR 11 billion mark, and that over 3,000 companies in each country operate in the other’s territory. The Romanian Foreign Minister also spoke about joint initiatives in the field of security, highlighting the joint efforts of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkiye on demining in the Black Sea and the joint efforts of Bucharest and Sofia to establish a European maritime security centre within the framework of the European Security Strategy. Toiu said her country and Bulgaria will continue to work together within this framework of cooperation to promote, within the European Union as well, this shared message from the region regarding connectivity, economic opportunities, collective security, and, above all, a shared aspiration for a European future. Following is the full translated text of the interview, which was conducted in Romanian.  Romania is picking up the baton from Bulgaria in the SEECP at a time when the initiative is celebrating its 30th anniversary. What will be Romania’s main strategic priorities during its Chairmanship-in-Office? Thank you for the warm welcome we received today [Wednesday] in Sofia. Earlier, the Bulgarian President made what was perhaps one of the most heartfelt statements regarding Romania. She said that on this side of the Danube there are people who love us. Now is the time to return that kind sentiment. The citizens of Bulgaria should know that across the Danube they have neighboкrs who are close to them, allies, and whom we love very much. Our priorities for the coming year are based on three main pillars. The first pillar is political, as it concerns a priority for the countries in the region related to EU enlargement and the accession process.  Romania, like Bulgaria, has long supported this process, primarily because it directly affects our neighbours. We believe that this month we will complete the opening of the negotiation chapters with Moldova and Ukraine. In fact, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu of the Republic of Moldova was with us today [Wednesday].  This political coordination also comes at an opportune moment, namely the overlap with the negotiations on the European Union budget - the Multiannual Financial Framework. And I mention this because this budget has a component related to enlargement, a component related to infrastructure, a component for connectivity, and we are certainly also talking about border security. All of these areas directly affect the countries of Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, and we want to ensure that, during these negotiations, we take into account the region’s common position and use this format to that end.  All of this is a priority for Romania, as well as for Bulgaria and the entire European Union, for its own connectivity projects - whether we are talking about trains, roads, bridges, or energy and data infrastructure. All of these are essential both for the current economy and for future opportunities, such as those emerging in the field of artificial intelligence, and these future opportunities also require greater energy consumption. In this regard, we must note that Romania is already an energy supplier and producer, and we know that next year we will increase this capacity through our projects in the Black Sea, such as Neptun Deep. A second important pillar is the economy and society, because we know that we will all gain more if we manage to better integrate our economies.  Between Romania and Bulgaria, of course, this is already working, thanks to our shared membership in the European Union. We have crossed the threshold of EUR 11 billion in bilateral trade. There are over 3,000 companies in each country that operate in the other country, but it is clear that economic expansion in the region and better access for suppliers from neighboring countries to supply chains on the territory of our countries could increase economic opportunities and, ultimately, our ability to handle global competition. The third pillar is investing in the future. This means investing in the resilience of society, in young people, in civil society, and in jointly strengthening our ability to cope with the challenges we have faced in recent years - challenges that are likely to intensify. Here, we are talking about cyberattacks, the ability to increase society’s resilience to disinformation campaigns, the promotion of independent journalism, and the strengthening of civil society to protect human rights and these essential elements of how democracies function. How does Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership in the Schengen area change the dynamics of cooperation within the SEECP? First of all, joining the Schengen area immediately led to a significant acceleration of transit traffic on the one hand. On the other, after all, this is a process that, according to Romania, was unjustifiably delayed. We are having this conversation with countries in the region that want easier border transit, even during accession negotiations, as they view it as a transitional measure that would facilitate their gradual integration. We also discussed at least two measures that have proven their effectiveness and that we will support this year: integration into the European Union’s single payment system, as well as the Roam Like at Home initiative - roaming that will allow for easier and more affordable calls between the citizens of our countries. This is particularly important for Romania, as we have a Romanian-speaking minority in several countries in the region, and this will facilitate better communication between families. Given the complex security context in the Black Sea region, how can the SEECP serve as a platform for countering hybrid threats and strengthening regional resilience? Romania is a country that already participates in common security formats. For example, we led the EUFOR Althea mission and continue to make the largest contribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina; we also participate in the KFOR mission - NATO formats also linked to the broader European contribution. We have a joint format with Bulgaria and Turkiye in demining efforts, which are essential for security in the Black Sea. We want to expand this to include the protection of undersea cables. In fact, Romania and Bulgaria are working together on the European Union’s concept for a maritime security centre, and we have good news: after nearly a year of joint work on this initiative, we are ready to incorporate it into the European Security Strategy. And, of course, we expect that beyond funding for our countries, this will also translate into accessible funding opportunities for strategic projects at the European level. Within this cooperation process, we want the projects we are already implementing in other formats to serve as examples for countries wishing to participate in similar projects or to complement what we are doing in this format. How do you see the future partnership between Sofia and Bucharest following the official handover of the initiative’s Chairmanship-in-Office? Romania’s Chairmanship-in-Office begins on July 1 and will continue until July 1, 2027. In June 2027, we will host the summit in Romania, just as it was successfully held here in Sofia today [Wednesday]. We will continue to work together in this format of cooperation, but also, of course, together with Greece, together with Slovenia, together with Croatia, to promote within the European Union this common message of the region regarding connectivity, economic opportunities, collective security, and especially - a shared aspiration for a European future. During the Romanian Chairmanship-in-Office, by the way, our partnership with Bulgaria also has two important occasions to celebrate - 20 years since we joined the European Union together and 150 years since our countries earned their place on the European map. For Romania, this part of our shared history is very important - Romania’s contribution to Bulgaria’s independence and the shared history linked to the presence of the royal family [Queen Marie of Romania built her summer residence in Balchik in the 1930s, known today as Balchik Palace]. But even among today’s generations, the custom of crossing the Danube to pay tribute to those who, unfortunately, died in those wars and are buried in the other country, continues to exist. The SEECP Summit marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the regional cooperation initiative, launched by Bulgaria in 1996. On this occasion, BTA sought interviews with representatives of all neighbouring countries: Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.   World Dimitrina Solakova Sofia Georgieva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144867-bta-and-cem-organize-national-debate-on-future-of-regional-news https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1144867-bta-and-cem-organize-national-debate-on-future-of-regional-news Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:52:00 +0300 More than 100 regional journalists have confirmed their participation in a discussion titled “The Future of Regional News”, which BTA and the Council for Electronic Media (CEM) are organizing on June 11. The forum will bring together representatives of academia, national and regional media, professional organizations, and public institutions, including BTA, BNT, BNR, bTV, Nova TV, journalism associations, and CEM members. On Wednesday, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said invitations to the discussion were extended to all regional journalists regardless of employer, as well as representatives of national media, government institutions, journalism organizations, and universities. Around one-third of BTA’s news output is regional, reflecting the fact that local news is often the most relevant to citizens. In some areas in Bulgaria, including regional capitals, the only full-time journalist is BTA’s correspondent, Valchev noted. BTA, which maintains the country’s largest correspondent network with offices and reporters in 32 cities outside Sofia, supports regional media through free access to its news content, the General Director emphasized. CEM Chair Gabriela Naplatanova stated that the discussion aims to bring together regional and national media representatives from across Bulgaria to discuss the future of local news. She pointed out that regional journalism is essential because it remains closest to the everyday concerns of citizens, adding that Bulgaria is considered at medium-to-high risk of developing “news deserts” according to European media pluralism.  CEM continues to support regional media through licensing, oversight, and monitoring of regional content in public broadcasters’ programming, Naplatanova concluded. Bulgaria Dimitrina Solakova Vanya Suharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144808-romania-assumes-south-east-european-cooperation-process-chairmanship-at-summit-i https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144808-romania-assumes-south-east-european-cooperation-process-chairmanship-at-summit-i Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:26:00 +0300 The South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit took place in Sofia on Wednesday. Bulgaria's President Iliana Iotova welcomed the heads of delegations attending the Summit at the National Palace of Culture, as the forum marked the 30th anniversary of SEECP's establishment. Among the participants at the forum were Slovenia's President Natasa Pirc Musar, Albania's President Bajram Begaj, Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Kosovo’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu, Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Chair Denis Becirovic, Moldova’s Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Serbia’s Prime Minister Duro Macut, Greece's Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman, and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu. At the event, the Bulgarian head of State said the SEECP had become a key platform for regional cooperation, European integration and stability. According to the President, South-East Europe is of strategic importance for the stability and prosperity of Europe and should strengthen connectivity, economic cooperation and resilience against security threats. She said the region had the potential to become a key hub for energy diversification and transport links. After the Summit, Iotova, Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu gave a joint press conference. Albania held the previous SEECP Chairmanship, while Romania assumed the next one. President Iliana Iotova said that Bulgaria will continue working to ensure that Southeast Europe becomes the region in Europe and the world that is most connected and integrated. She noted that 30 years ago, Bulgaria established the SEECP and, three decades later, the format proved to be important, as over the years, a lot was achieved. Iotova expressed confidence that under Romania's Chairmanship, the SEECP will continue to strengthen its role as an important platform for regional cooperation and the European perspective of the region. Albanian President Bajram Begaj stressed that there is a clear understanding that deepening cooperation among Southeast European countries is necessary. “Our cooperation in the region has concrete results - we are seeing progress in facilitating trade and the movement of people and goods,” he pointed out. Begaj also highlighted the need for successful integration in terms of digital connectivity. According to him, the meeting in Sofia continues these efforts. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu outlined the priorities of Romania's Chairmanship: the common regional market, security and the European integration of the countries of the region. She stressed that youth development will also be a key focus. "Young people will have a leading role. It is important that their interests are heard," Toiu said. She reported that Romania will work to ensure that the voice of the countries of Southeast Europe is heard in Europe, including in discussions on the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework. Economic and social development will also be among the Chairmanship's priorities, she added. Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu discussed with Iotova opportunities for deepening bilateral relations in numerous areas. An agreement on defence cooperation is set to be signed. The SEECP is a regional platform for dialogue aimed at building trust, cooperation, and good-neighbourly relations in Southeast Europe. It was launched in July 1996 in Sofia, when foreign ministers from eight countries in the region adopted the Sofia Declaration on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security, and Cooperation in the Balkans. Over the years, the number of participating countries has grown to 13: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkiye, Croatia, and Montenegro, according to the Bulgarian President’s  Press Secretariat. World Momchil Rusev Nikolay Zabov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144842-presidents-of-bulgaria-and-kosovo-discuss-opportunities-for-deepening-bilateral- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1144842-presidents-of-bulgaria-and-kosovo-discuss-opportunities-for-deepening-bilateral- Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:20:45 +0300 Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova and acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu discussed opportunities for deepening bilateral relations in numerous areas, and an agreement on defence cooperation is set to be signed, the presidential press secretariat reported. The discussion was held as part of the South-East European Cooperation Process summit that took place here on Wednesday. Iotova expressed gratitude to Pristina for its policy toward the Bulgarian community in Kosovo, noting that the country serves as a model in this regard. Haxhiu emphasized that Pristina does not discriminate in the integration of different communities and strives to protect their rights. Haxhiu expressed gratitude to Iotova for Bulgaria's support on Kosovo's path to membership in NATO and the European Union. World Nikolay Zabov