http://www.novinite.com/ Real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news - economic, political and cultural, foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and world news. en 2001-2010 Novinite Ltd. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114324 114324 Finance Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:41:06 +0200 Bulgaria's tax revenue in the first two months of 2010 was BGN 600 M smaller than in the same period of 2009, announced the National Revenue Agency head, Krasimir Stefanov. Stefanov has pointed out that the plummeting tax revenue is the result of the deepening economic crisis. Speaking on the bTV channel Thursday, Stefanov said that the declared tax base in January and February of 2010 was BGN 4 B smaller than it was in the same period of the previous year. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114323 114323 Business Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:12:40 +0200 Bulgaria's capital Sofia is freezing the planned construction of overpasses despite the availability of EUR 45 M loan from the European Investment Bank. The money was supposed to be used for six overpasses at key crossroads around Sofia in order to alleviate the situation with the congested traffic in the city. The official explanation of the Sofia Municipality for putting the projects on hold is the work on the construction of the second metro line and the ongoing rehabilitation projects.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114322 114322 Finance Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:54:21 +0200 The Borisov government has adopted "pro-crisis" rather than "anti-crisis" measures, Bulgaria's former Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski believes. Speaking on the Bulgarian National Television Thursday, Oresharski criticized the Cabinet of Boyko Borisov for coming up with inadequate policies. "The only anti-crisis measure I know is the increasing of public investments," said Oresharski who was the Finance Minister in the Stanishev government (2005-2009). ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114321 114321 Crime Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:35:26 +0200 The breaking off and sale of rock formations from karst caves has become a new illegal trade in Bulgaria. It has become fashionable to use the karst rocks to decorate the interior of villas, hotels, and restaurants of wealthy owners, announced Aleksey Stoev, member of the board of the Bulgarian Tourism Union. Stoev has explained that the Union and the Bulgarian Speleology Federation insist on a new law specially designed to protect the caves.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114320 114320 Domestic Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:17:48 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been enraged by the publication of what were alleged to be draft anti-crisis measures prepared by the government, according to the Trud Daily. The measures - which included cutting the paid maternity leave in half and taxing retirement pensions and salaries before social security payments had been deducted - were provided to the media by syndicates on Wednesday, and caused a wave of outrage in all strata of society. Later on Wednesday, the press service of the Bulgarian Council of Ministers issued a statement saying that a number of measures are being discussed by the government but not the ones which have "leaked". ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114319 114319 Diplomacy Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:32:36 +0200 Ahmet Davutoglu, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, is arriving on an official two-day visit to Bulgaria Thursday. Davutoglu has been invited by his Bulgarian counterpart, Nikolay Mladenov. In addition to meeting with Mladenov, on Friday the Turkish Foreign Minister will be received by Bulgaria's President, Prime Minister, and Parliament Chair. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114318 114318 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:28:17 +0200 The European Commission assessment of Bulgaria's three- year fiscal plan is one of the few positive, which boosts the country's chances of joining the eurozone waiting-room ERM II, insiders from Brussels have commented. The news comes shortly after Brussels placed Bulgaria in the brackets of low-risk counties with regard to public finances. According to the report for long-term financial stability, published by the institution at the end of last year, this category blankets only Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114317 114317 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:51:30 +0200 Bulgaria's anti-trust watchdog has launched a probe into the country's top cable providers "Eurocom" and "Cabletel" on monopoly allegations. The Commission for Protection of Competition acted on a tip-off of Bulgaria's first national private television bTV, which has recently came into a conflict with Cabletel, claiming it is putting a spoke in the wheel of its sale to CEM. The Swedish investment fund EQT V (EQT) acquired 100% of Eurocom and 70% of Cabletel at the end of October last year in a EUR 210 M deal. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114316 114316 World Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:40:46 +0200 Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to expel from his country some 100,000 illegal immigrants from Armenia. The statement came after a US committee and Sweden recently approved resolutions to brand the 1915 killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. Asked about the votes in an interview with the BBC Turkish service that was broadcast late Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said: ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114315 114315 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:05:39 +0200 Over 20 Austrian companies have expressed strong interest in participating in the construction of the Bulgarian road and railroad infrastructure. Companies such as Alpine Bau, Deco-Tech Handeks, Evronik Para-Chemie, Strabag, Terra-Mix, VAE have taken part in the Bulgarian "Transport Infrastructure" forum and have stated their desire to be included in projects in the country. Austrian Ambassador to Sofia, Gerhard Reiweger, pointed out Bulgaria must benefit from the Austrian experience in absorbing funds from the EU operational program "Transport".... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114314 114314 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:03:56 +0200 A cross-border Contact Center, a pioneer service of the police forces of Greece and Bulgaria, will be inaugurated on Friday at the Promachonas border station in Serres, opposite the Kulata border station on the Bulgarian side, the Athens News Agency reported. The inter-state cross-border agreement for the establishment of a joint Contact Center with shared facilities on the Greek side of the border for a "one-stop border control" was signed in April 2008 by then deputy interior minister Panayiotis Hinofotis with then Bulgarian interior minister Mihail Mikov in Sofia. This happened at the meeting of SEECP justice and internal affairs ministers, aimed at the creation of a joint contact center for the coordination of crime-fighting actions and the conduction of joint border controls.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114313 114313 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:49:25 +0200 Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry is preparing a list of up to 20 diplomats to propose as members of the new European External Action Service. All EU member states are to submit their candidates to the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton. Bulgaria hopes to impress the High Representative with its nominations and to receive some prestigious diplomatic positions. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114312 114312 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:26:38 +0200 Bulgaria's Ministry of Agriculture has received a letter from the European Commission notifying about a sanction of the amount of BGN over 49 M that the country must pay. The fine has been triggered by violations committed by the Ministry in direct payments to farmers in 2008. The violations stem from overlapping of declared land plots and the procedure for the selection of a contractor to create an aerial photograph map of farming lands in Bulgaria. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114311 114311 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:04:13 +0200 Bulgaria's Minister for Regional Development, Rosen Plevneliev, has announced that he is prepared to reluctantly "accept" a EUR 41 M increase in construction costs of the Lyulin Highway. Plevneliev said on Monday that the expert assessments recently made all pointed to an under-assessment of costs on the part of the Turkish consortium in charge of the construction project. The current value of the contract with Mapa Cengiz amounts to EUR 137,4 M.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114310 114310 Crime Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:52:02 +0200 Bulgarian prosecutors have hinted they are on their way to unravel the murder of controversial crime journalist Bobi Tsankov, who was shot dead in a gangland-style execution at the beginning of the year. "I already have an idea, though a vague one, about who killed Bobi Tsankov," Nikolay Kokinov, Sofia City Prosecutor, announced on Wednesday. Bobi Tsankov was shot dead on January 5 as he was entering an apartment block with other two men, according to the police. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114309 114309 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:48:02 +0200 Bulgaria's Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) is yet to issue a final decision on the complaints over the "Trakiya" highway public tender, Regional Minister, Rosen Plevneliev said Wednesday. CPC has only rejected the requests of the Austrian road construction consortium "Strabag" and the Greek builder "Terna" to block the public tender procedure, but there is a legal 2-month deadline to probe the complaints, the Commission informed to clarify the issue. In addition, CPC reports that any of their decisions can be appealed before the Supreme Administrative Court. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114308 114308 Views on BG Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:36:13 +0200 Hello Magazine Little Simeon Hassan, the son of Bulgaria's Princess Kalina, has grown up into quite the young gent since we last saw him at his baptism two years ago. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114307 114307 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:15:44 +0200 UK airlines British Airways will renew its flights to and from Bulgaria's sea capital Varna as of April 1, representatives of the company announced on Wednesday. The price of the one-way ticket on a flight from Varna to the airport Gatwick has been set at EUR 35 and EUR 70 for a return ticket, airport fees excluded. The company said it is testing special ticket prices for flights from Sofia and Varna to the United States and Canada, varying from EUR 281 to 291. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114306 114306 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:50:21 +0200 The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament failed Wednesday to vote on all amendments in the much disputed GMO Act with the most important ones postponed for the next day. The vote stirred heated debates between representatives of different parties, leading to the decision to vote on the most argued about text on Thursday - the so-called article 80 introducing the general ban to grow genetically modified organisms (GMO). The ban would not apply to GMO already on the market. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114305 114305 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:35:54 +0200 Bulgaria media watchdog adopted at its meeting on Wednesday procedures for the selection of new directors of the state-owned national radio BNR and TV channel BNT. The contest for director of the Bulgarian National Radio starts on March 24. Candidates can sbumit documents from April 26 till May 10.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114304 114304 Diplomacy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:22:24 +0200 Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, will make a two-day official visit to Bulgaria. Davutoglu will meet Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov on Thursday. The Turkish Minister's particular focus will be on bilateral relations, but the recent situation in the Balkans will also be discussed.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114303 114303 World Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:11:05 +0200 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel says she wants the eurozone to be able to exclude one of its members in future if that is necessary to avert a crisis. Merkel told the German Bundestag (parliament) that existing EU rules were not strong enough to deal with the current crisis triggered by Greece. Exclusion from the 16-nation eurozone would be a "last resort", she said, as cited by BBC. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114302 114302 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:04:47 +0200 Bulgaria's Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, declared he is going to join the Ministry's employees during their protest rally, scheduled for March 20. Tsvetanov told reporters Wednesday he always supported his colleagues and understood their problems, adding that realities in the country must be taken into account. "There is no Interior Minister, who would not want for policemen to have better pay and working conditions.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114301 114301 Views on BG Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:50:50 +0200 By Cyril McAravey Kickoff Mamelodi Sundowns knew they had a tiger by the tail when they employed Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov to lead the Brazilians, and now it appears that they have deserted him in his time of need. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114300 114300 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:39:41 +0200 In January 2010, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector fell by 2.2% in the Eurozone and by 2.0% the EU area, compared with the previous month. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114299 114299 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:35:42 +0200 Bulgaria's center-right government has officially dropped plans for a health tax hike, which was approved last week amid doctors' walkouts and in a bid to raise additional funds to support the ailing system. The cabinet of the ruling GERB party approved last Wednesday a 2 percentage-point rise in health insurance levies to 10 percent of an individual's income, effective from April. The private sector cried foul, saying that the measure will deal a heavy blow to the companies, which are already struggling in these times of crisis and will create conditions for the expansion of the grey economy. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114298 114298 Society Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:20:07 +0200 The Retirees Union in the Bulgarian western city of Pernik begins Thursday the collection signatures in support of President, Georgi Parvanov, the Union's leader informs. The move comes in the heels of Bulgaria's ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party beginning a procedure to impeach Parvanov over the controversy stemming from the President publishing a transcript from his conversation with Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, without the latter's knowledge. GERB say the move violates the Constitution. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114297 114297 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:11:19 +0200 Bulgaria' s national air carrier Bulgaria Air will be headed by a new executive director following the resignation of the current CEO Dimitar Pavlov, according to reports, citing insiders. Pavlov is expected to be replaced by Yanko Georgiev, who is currently head of the Flight Directorate at Bulgaria Air. The company has refused to officially confirm the information. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114296 114296 Defense Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:54:26 +0200 The Bulgaria military deputy chief, Minko Kavaldjiev, is leading a delegation to Belgrade, in a continuing program of cooperation with the Serbian military. Kavaldjiev declared that cooperation between the two countries was good, and that it significantly contributed to security in the region. He announced that the Bulgarian army was preparing to share its experience with the Serbian army, as it goes through a period of reforms. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114295 114295 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:35:36 +0200 Bulgaria's Central Cooperative bank, part of the country's largest holding company Chimimport, has been given the green light to acquire a third bank in Macedonia. The Macedonian financial supervision authorities have approved the deal earlier in the week. In the middle of February Stater Banka said in a statement on the Macedonian Stock Exchange website that its majority owner, Iceland 's Milestone Group, is currently negotiating with Bulgaria's Central Cooperative bank to sell its 91,71% stake in the bank. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114294 114294 Society Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:30:39 +0200 A large number of Bulgarians (61%) say their living standard has worsened in 2009, according to a poll conducted by the National Center for Study of Public Opinion (NZIOM). From the 1 214 respondents, only 5% stated they led a better life with most of them being college graduates and Sofia residents. The most hardships are faced by people 50 to 59 years of age, unemployed, living in villages or without education degrees, with 70% of them pointing out their living standard has worsened. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114293 114293 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:39 +0200 Bulgaria is going to see a surge of protests within the next several days, with several sectors warning of strike action and demonstrations. The target is the severe measures proposed by the Bulgarian government in its attempt to reduce the state budget deficit. Employees of the Interior Ministry have been among the first to announce their protest in reaction to the proposal that civil servants should be obliged to pay their own insurances. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114292 114292 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:06:19 +0200 The European Commission has called on Bulgaria to pursue "strict" fiscal policies that will make up for "slightly favorable assumptions on growth and revenue collection". "Given the need to ensure sustainable convergence, Bulgaria is invited to continue pursuing strict fiscal policies as well as to implement the planned structural reforms," the commission said in its assessment of the country's three- year fiscal plan. The European Commission examined on Wednesday the updated stability and convergence programmes (SCPs) of fourteen EU member states, including Bulgaria. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114291 114291 Bulgaria in EU Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:58:06 +0200 The reforms of the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party managed to reinstate European trust in Bulgaria, according to Wilfred Martens, President of European People's Party (EPP). Martens is in Sofia Wednesday to participate in the international conference devoted to Bulgaria's best practices to combat corruption. The EPP President said that his statement is based on the fact the European Commission has released millions in EU funds that were previously blocked for Bulgaria, and on the stark change of the general attitude towards the country across Europe. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114290 114290 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:33:36 +0200 Media reports about draconian anti-crisis measures attributed to Bulgaria's Finance Ministry are far away from the truth, according to an official statement issued by the institution Wednesday. The document, cited by the media, does not exist, had never been discussed and the reports are the expression of another attempt to stir public tension, direct discontent towards the cabinet and its economic policies, and sabotage the common effort with labor unions and employers, according to the statement. The Ministry further informs that experts are in the process of conducting thorough and serious analysis and forecasts on which the real anti-crisis measures will be based.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114289 114289 Finance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:32:54 +0200 Bulgaria's aspirations to join the euro zone may be rewarded in four years' time, according to a leading expert from The Economist's analytical unit. "The Bulgarian government will hope to join ERM II later in 2010, although Mr Borisov has admitted that the aim to adopt the euro by 2013 will be a struggle. We anticipate that Bulgaria may get to adopt the euro in 2014 at the earliest," Toby Iles, an analyst for Central and Eastern Europe at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), said in an interview for Novinite.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114288 114288 Interview Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:23 +0200 Interview with Toby Iles, analyst for Central & Eastern Europe at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) After gaining a first class undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford, Toby Iles undertook further study at the University of Cambridge and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Subsequent to this he joined the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in Vienna as a research analyst covering Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114287 114287 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:09:35 +0200 Bulgaria's Conservative Order, Law and Justice (RZS) party demanded Wednesday the dismissal of Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, over his proposed extreme measures to deal with the economic crisis. The request was announced by party leader, Yane Yanev, who threatened occupation of the Finance Ministry's building in case the request is not fulfilled. According to information which leaked to the Bulgarian media, several of the proposed 35 anti-crisis measures are aimed at saving money at the expense of important social benefits. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114286 114286 World Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:04:08 +0200 A Wizzair flight from the Romanian city of Timisoara was forced to return to the airport, following an anonymous call claiming there was a bomb on board the plane. The aircraft was bound for London when, 15 minute into the flight, the call was received at the airport. The plane made an emergency U-turn back to Timisoara, where all 165 passengers were safely evaculated. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114285 114285 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:35:23 +0200 Bulgaria's Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, accused the judicial system of lacking the will to deal with organized crime in the country. The Minister spoke Wednesday at the international conference devoted to Bulgaria's best practices to combat corruption, held in Sofia, saying the political will to combat crime is a fact, but not the judiciary one. Tsvetanov reiterated the need of a serious legal reform, stressing that in the last 20 years those with political power have been untouchable by the Courts. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114284 114284 World Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:26:07 +0200 St Patrick's Day, the national day of the Irish, both at home and worldwide, is being celebrated on Wednesday. The holiday began as a purely religious celebration to mark the death of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holy man was born into an ecclesiastical family in Roman Britain in the late fourth century. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114283 114283 Crime Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:06:14 +0200 The Sofia City Court proved unable to find Wednesday 3 former ministers, who were summoned to testify in the case against the former Director of the Road Infrastructure Fund, Veselin Georgiev. The ex Minister in charge of the EU Funds, Meglena Plugchieva, the ex Finance Minister, Plamen Oresharski, and ex European Affairs Minister, Gergana Passy, failed to appear before the magistrates. Their absence was explained by irregularly sent subpoenas. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114282 114282 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:30:47 +0200 The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament passed Wednesday at second reading the amendments of the Meetings and Demonstrations Act in agreement with the veto imposed by President, Georgi Parvanov. The MPs approved the requirement to keep the security zone limiting access to government buildings, the President's Office and the Parliament during meetings and demonstrations between 5 and 20 meters, with the exact distance being determined for each particular event. The distance will be agreed with the Interior Ministry and approved by the Mayor of Sofia.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114281 114281 Defense Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:23:44 +0200 Bulgaria's Cabinet approved Wednesday a memorandum for the country's participation in an international integrated logistics unit. Each of the participants - Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Slovakia - is going to take part with 4 military officers in the NATO logistics unit. The main task of the unit will be to form a mobility control detachment through which the parties will be able to participate in current NATO operations conducted with the approval of the UN Security Council. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114280 114280 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:07:05 +0200 Bulgaria's Borisov government should go all the way with privatization, according to Krasen Stanchev, Chair of Governing Board of the Sofia-based Institute for Market Economy. Stanchev has welcomed the decision of the government to sell its minority shares in a number of companies saying that by doing this, the GERB party Cabinet is actually fulfilling its campaign promises. By the end of the week, the government is going to set up a consolidated state company which will include minority shares from 55 companies in an attempt to generate badly needed revenue. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114279 114279 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:44:29 +0200 A central register showing all debts owed by the state to private companies should be created in order to ease the economic situation, the rightist Blue Coalition has suggested. Ivan Kostov, Co-Chair of the Blue Coalition, which supports the government of the ruling GERB party, has spoken in favor of creating a register specifying the exact amounts of money owed by the state to private businesses, and the deadlines for payment. In this way, the state will largely improve the tense situation because it will provide the companies with documents that they can use before the banks from which they themselves had borrowed. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114278 114278 Energy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:14:34 +0200 Russian companies appear to be in lack of enough oil in order to fill the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, according to Moscow newspaper Vedomosti. The CEO of Transneft, Nikolai Tokarev, complained to the Russian Deputy PM Igor Sechin in a letter from September 2009 that there was not enough oil for the planned pipeline in Bulgaria and Greece, the Vedomosti has reported claiming to have a copy of the letter. Tokarev is said to have pointed out that the actual economic benefits from the project will become clear only after its completion, and that it is geopolitical rather than an economic endeavor. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114277 114277 Sports Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:46:59 +0200 Legendary Bulgarian footballer Hristo Stoichkov has resigned as the coach of South African team Mamelodi Sundowns. Stoichkov is leaving offended because the team did not offer him an extension of his contract, according to South African media. The 44-year-old Bulgarian coach took over Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2009, and led the team to the second position in the South African championship. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114276 114276 Business Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:30:10 +0200 Bulgaria's government is reducing by up to 30% the privatization prices of several companies in a quest to raise badly-needed revenue. The Bulgarian Privatization Agency has announced that it is selling on the stock exchange state shares in 40 companies. Some of the companies in question are among the ones which might be included in a state consolidation company designed to raise revenue as an emergency measure by selling the government's minority shares in several dozen firms.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114275 114275 Diplomacy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:03:42 +0200 Macedonian papers have expressed their outrage over bits and pieces that allegedly leaked from the 'Friendship Treaty' proposed by Bulgaria. Six of the 21 items in the treaty - which the Bulgarian government recently announced it had proposed to Skopje in order to provide for good neighborly relations - are problematic, according to an article of the Dnevnik Daily. "Bulgaria is placing itself in the position of the elder brother,' the paper says citing unnamed sources which have seen the English-language version of the proposed treaty.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114274 114274 Society Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:31:00 +0200 Eight Bulgarian cities are staging protest rally Wednesday as the Parliament is expected to vote on final draft of the Genetically Modified Organisms Act later during the day. "Bulgaria free of GMO" slogans will be raised by rallies in Sofia, Pleven, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Kyustendil, Ruse, and Rudozem. The GMO legislation has been in disputed in Bulgaria over the last two months, and despite the many amendments designed to exclude the possibility that GMOs will be allowed on Bulgarian soil, the protesting NGOs and civil society coalitions believe that the law in question still does not provide sufficient guarantees.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114273 114273 Domestic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:17:50 +0200 The package of 35 anti-crisis measures prepared by the government is going to hurt a number of social benefits, according to trade union leaders. Syndicates claim to have obtained a draft of the measures prepared by the team of Finance Minister Simoen Djankov, and have expressed their concern over them. According to information which leaked to the Bulgarian media, several of the anti-crisis measures are aimed at saving money at the expense of important social benefits. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114272 114272 Society Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:04:31 +0200 Bulgarian judge Panayot Genkov and alleged mafia boss Angel Hristov never shared a table in a Sofia restaurant. This information has been revealed Wednesday morning by Judge Tsoni Tsonev, head of the Ethics Commission of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS), speaking on BNT 1. A new judicial system scandal was about to unfoil amidst reports on Tuesday that judge Genkov and one of the two so called Galevi Brothers, Angel Hristov, were spotted sharing a table in a restaurant in Sofia. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114269 114269 Sports Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:40:33 +0200 Bulgaria soccer star Dimitar Berbatov has written in his new blog how much he appreciates the support of his fans, and how proud he is when they enjoy his success. The Bulgarian national tem captain caused controversy only a week ago, when he published his first blog entry, entitled "Haters". Now, he has explained that the entries are part of a trilogy, with the second piece entitled "Friends and Supporters". ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114270 114270 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:34:37 +0200 Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has asked the leadership of the European People's Party to lobby in Brussels for the allocation of EU funds. This was announced by Borisov himself Tuesday night during a news conference together with the Chair of the EPP Wilfried Martens and the Secretary-General of the EPP Antonio Lopez. Borisov has commented that his GERB party has received solidarity and support from the EPP.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114268 114268 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:11:18 +0200 The European People's Party has no criticism for the Bulgarian government of PM Boyko Borisov, according to its Chair, Wilfried Martens. Martens was in Sofia Tuesday night for the presentation of his book, "Europe: I Struggle, I Overcome". "After eight years of liberal and socialist experiments, Bulgaria finally has a strong and reliable government.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114267 114267 Domestic Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:01:51 +0200 The executive branch rather than the President should be in control of Bulgaria's intelligence services, according to Defense Minister Anyu Angelov. Speaking Tuesday evening, Angelov has made it clear he was expressing his personal opinion. He said the issue is yet to be discussed. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114266 114266 Finance Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:52:43 +0200 Four Bulgarian wine cellars have won top awards at the annual VINARIA International Exhibition held in the south central city of Plovdiv. The VINARIA International Exhibition of Vine-Growing and Wine Producing, now in its 18th year, opened on Sunday and continues until Wednesday. Almost 600 wines and 63 rakia samples were entered into the 2010 exhibition. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114265 114265 Defense Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:43:15 +0200 A couple of hundred military officers gathered Tuesday night for a silent protest in downtown Plovdiv. They protested against the idea of the Finance Ministry to make all state employees pay their own health insurance fees. Currently, these fees are assumed by the state. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114264 114264 Archaeology Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:09:16 +0200 The construction of the second metro line in the Bulgarian capital Sofia has been stopped over the discovery of a unique archaeology site. On Monday the builders came across a medieval church located in the very downtown of Sofia, next to the Tzum retail center. This led to a temporary termination of the construction work. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114263 114263 Views on BG Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:59:51 +0200 By Ivan Krastev Presseurop Long-standing members against new ones, irresponsible states against virtuous states, tolerance of the EU against excessive demands: the crisis over the single currency has revealed a new faultline within the union, according to the Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114262 114262 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:44:18 +0200 The anti-corruption watchdog at the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) is going to question the magistrate from the Supreme Administrative Court, Panayot Genkov, over alleged ties with the underworld. The questioning comes on the heels of media reports that Genkov had been seen sharing a table in a popular Sofia restaurant with Angel Hristov better known as one of the notorious Galevi brothers. VSS further published the official rebuttal of Genkov, who says he had been in the same restaurant with Hristov, but was never on the same table and does not personally know him. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114261 114261 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:31:42 +0200 Bulgaria's Minister of Agriculture has ordered the National Veterinary Service to monitor an outbreak of avian flu in neighboring Romania. Minister Miroslav Naydenov has announced that the National Veterinary & Medical Service (NVMS) will tighten controls at its regional centers, and will take all measures necessary to monitor and limit the spread of the virus. The veterinarians have also been alerted to the risk of transmission across to Bulgaria by migratory and wild birds. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114260 114260 Diplomacy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:00:21 +0200 The term "Turkish Yoke" stirred controversy between Bulgarian and Turkish servicemen from the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Major Daniela Blagoeva, reportedly made a presentation dedicated to Bulgaria's Liberaton Day, which had been deemed offensive by Turkish army officers. Blagoeva had posted the presentation on the ISAF intranet in Kabul with text talking about the Turkish Yoke instead of the politically correct Ottoman Rule. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114259 114259 Domestic Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:25:04 +0200 Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) are taking the side of President, Georgi Parvanov, in the controversy with the cabinet. According to DPS, Parvanov had not violated the Constitution by publishing a transcript from his conversation with Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, without the latter's knowledge. The ethnic Turks are of the opinion the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party has no legal basis to start the impeachment procedure they want. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114258 114258 Energy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:59:57 +0200 The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) reacted swiftly Thursday to the stated intentions of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, to involve the Prosecutor's Office in probing the funds spent on the NPP Belene project so far. BSP issued a declaration stating nuclear energy in Bulgaria has no other alternative than the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Danube town of Belene and every attempt to stop or freeze the project equals national treason. The Socialists accuse the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party cabinet in renewed attempts to divert the public attention from the country's real problems by setting off media bombs that are nothing more than lies. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114257 114257 Defense Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:43:18 +0200 Bulgaria's Parliamentary Speaker, Tsetska Tsacheva, who is on an official visit to Moscow, has stated that Bulgaria has not discussed whether it should join the proposed US missile shield. Tsacheva was responding to a question posed by her Russian counterpart, Boris Gryzlov, as the Russian lower house of parliament, the Duma, discussed the new strategic arms treaty (START). The Duma Speaker has announced that it might block the treaty unless it was linked to missile defense. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114256 114256 Domestic Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:58:42 +0200 Bulgaria prosecutors have completed a comprehensive investigation into the death of Ahmed Emin, and have found no evidence of foul play. Alexander Nalbantov, head of the Sofia Regional Prosecutor's Office has announced on Tuesday that the three prosecutors appointed to the investigation had thoroughly carried out all the required legal procedures. They had concluded, after a full analysis, that there was no evidence to support the suggestion that Emin might have been pushed to commit suicide. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114255 114255 Business Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:39:13 +0200 The US manufacturer of virtualization software, VMware, is significantly increasing the number of employees in his Bulgarian office, the company informs, cited by pari.bg. VMware has expanded its business in Sofia with the opening of a new office for an estimated 400 employees.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114254 114254 Show Buzz Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:20:15 +0200 The estate of Michael Jackson has agreed the biggest recording deal in history, worth more than USD 200 M with Sony Music, US reports say. The deal reportedly involves 10 album projects over seven years - including one of previously unreleased material, the BBC stated. The singer died at his Los Angeles home in June, aged 50.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114253 114253 Energy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:12 +0200 A loan of EUR 250 M from BNP Paribas destined for Bulgaria's Belene Nuclear Plant has been spent on other projects. This was announced by Bogomil Manchev, Manager of "Risk Engineering", which one of the consultants of the Belene NPP project, as cited by the BTA news agency. According to Mancher, Bulgaria's National Electric Company NEK did not borrow the money specifically for the Belene plant, and much of it was spend on the hydro power plant project "Tsankov Kamak" in Southern Bulgaria. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114251 114251 Business Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:05:39 +0200 Serbian firm Delta Holding, the majority owners of the Bulgarian retail chain Piccadilly, will invest EUR 80 M in Bulgaria this year. Delta is set to invest in the expansion of its retail network and open the first Tempo hypermarket in Bulgaria later in 2010. Serbia's largest privately-held company bought a majority stake in Bulgarian retail chain Piccadilly in September 2007 and has so far invested a total of EUR 140 M in Bulgaria, including taking over the remaining 15% percent of shares in 2009. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114252 114252 Diplomacy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:02:49 +0200 Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marin Raykov, has reported on the successful outcome of talks to boost the countries ties with Vietnam. Raykov, on an official visit to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, has agreed with his counterpart, Vguyen Thanh Son, that the two countries will continue to develop their relations, especially in the areas of economics and commerce. Their talks on Tuesday concerned the implementation of bilateral agreements reached during Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov's visit to Hanoi in January 2009. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114249 114249 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:56:51 +0200 The Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament from all political groups decided to request a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood, Stefan Fule, regarding Spaska Mitrova's case. The information was reported by the Socialist MEPs press center. The Bulgarian MEPs intend to discuss violations of civil rights of people with Bulgarian self-awareness by authorities in Macedonia.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114247 114247 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:40:53 +0200 The vast majority of Bulgarians are against the proliferation of genetically modified organism (GMOs) in the country according to a recent survey. The National Center for Study of Public Opinion (NCSPO) survey showed that 97% of Bulgarians believe Bulgaria should continue to support a complete ban on GMOs while 93% support the current ban on growing genetically modified tobacco, rose oil, vine, wheat, fruits and vegetables. The survey also suggested that Bulgarians believe it is important for the Bulgarian government to stand up to the EU on the issue. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114245 114245 Domestic Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:19:38 +0200 Bulgaria's Vice President, Angel Marin, has forecast that the motion by the ruling majority to impeach President Georgi Parvanov will not come to an end. "I am working on real, not on imaginary things. The issue of my taking over the President's position is not on the agenda, and will hardly happen," Marin declared in Veliko Tarnovo on Tuesday. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114246 114246 Energy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:18:56 +0200 Everything that has been done so far regarding the project to build a second Bulgarian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Danube town of Belene must be verified as far as profitability and from a legal stand point. The statement was made by Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, Tuesday during his visit to the Belene site. The PM stressed Bulgaria had exceptional experts currently involved with the other Danube NPP Kozloduy that can provide sound assessment and that the Prosecutor's Office might get involved. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114244 114244 Diplomacy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:29:02 +0200 The Human Rights Report of the US State Department on Bulgaria has been prepared in a well-intentioned tone, according to the Foreign Ministry. Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vesela Cherneva has stated Tuesday that the Report has accounted for the measures undertaken by the new government in order to tackle corruption and organized crime. She said the report noted a plan of 59 measures of the Borisov government to fight corruption, the cracking down on the "Impudent" kidnappers' gang, and progress in combating human trafficking. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114243 114243 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:44:24 +0200 Roughly one in five Bulgarians is over the age of 65, making Bulgaria the country with the most aging population in the EU, World Bank representative Florian Fichtl reported. Fichtl, the permanent representative for the WB in Bulgaria, spoke at a conference in Sofia to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of pension reform in the country. According to him the pension reforms should proceed with decisions that provide adequate pensions to people, but without risking macroeconomic stability. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114248 114248 Properties Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:41:16 +0200 The newest Bulgarian shopping mall, "Serdika Center", was formally opened in Sofia Tuesday. Serdika Center is located on the Sitnyakovo Blvd. It has 210 stores with a commercial space of over 51 000 square meters on three levels, and office space of some 30 000 square meters. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114242 114242 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:07:38 +0200 National Statistical Institute data has shown that 238 000 Bulgarians were registerted as unemployed in 2009. From the 3,441 million economically active people in Bulgaria only 3,204 million 15-64 year olds were registered as having work in 2009 Of the total number of unemployed 130 100 (54.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114241 114241 Domestic Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:14:51 +0200 Bulgaria PM Boyko Borisov has warned that the next few weeks will see his government being "uncompromising against people in power." Borisov, speaking at the opening of an international conference devoted to European best practices to combat corruption, revealed that a report showed BGN 222 M was spent on 22 km on a single-lane road during the previous government's reign, while BGN 300 M was spent on the whole Burgas highway - an example he said of extreme corruption. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114240 114240 Energy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:53:26 +0200 Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are discussing the possibility of creating a compressed natural gas processing plant in Georgia so as to ship the final product to Bulgaria and Romania. This was revealed by Azeri oil expert Ilham Shaban for 'Nezasimaya Gazeta'. He said that an Azerbaijan-Bulgaria working group is discussing a number of possibilities for supplying Bulgaria with natural gas. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114239 114239 Energy Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:24:44 +0200 Bulgaria Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, has announced that around EUR 600 M has been spent so far on the site of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. Traikov said Tuesday that "the money has been accounted for, but nothing has been done. He added that these funds are now irretrievably lost and thus can not be used for what was planned. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114238 114238 Sports Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:33:17 +0200 Bulgaria's Euro 2012 qualifying fixtures will be decided by a random draw after the nations in Group G failed to agree on acceptable dates. At a near five-hour meeting England, Wales, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Switzerland failed to reach an agreement. "We were close to achieving the most important principles of our strategy for the program.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114237 114237 Environment Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:18:09 +0200 A 2,8 magnitude earthquake was registered Tuesday morning in North Central Bulgaria with its epicenter South of the Danube city of Ruse. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that the quake shook the area at 07:25 Tuesday morning. The epicenter of the quake was 79km South of Ruse, 3km East of Antonovo at a depth of 2km. ... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114236 114236 Society Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:04:03 +0200 Bulgaria Transport Minister Alexander Tsvetkov has stated that the official crackdown on driving test corruption will be successful. Tsvetkov, speaking on bTV Tuesday, said that 15-20 000 driving licenses are currently sold every year for a minimum price of BGN 300. He added that "not even the most tentative attempt to stop the black market in driving licenses was made in the last 4-5 years.... http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114235 114235 Bulgaria in EU Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:30:52 +0200 Europe's finance ministers have agreed how to help Greece in its battle to control its finances. After a meeting in Brussels, they revealed few details, except that they had ruled out any loan guarantees, the BBC reported. For weeks, the financial markets had wondered if the EU's promised support for Greece would ever be forthcoming. ...