The activities of foreign intelligence services, corruption, international terrorism, religious sects, and obsolete transport and energy infrastructure are among the main national security threats for 2010,

These threats along with profiteering, health care problems and migration are listed in the annual report of the State Agency for National Security, DANS, for 2010.

Parts of the report are published on the Agency's website and its conclusions were presented before the Parliamentary Committee for DANS control, but details have not been provided for the media with the motive they include classified information. The Committee's Chair, Kamen Kostadinov, from the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS, assured the report is complete, well-prepared, with serious and grounded conclusions and reflects the real picture regarding threats for the country's national security.

The report points out the political parties' activities and the emerging of new formations are the main subject of interest for foreign spies.

According to unofficial information of the Bulgarian daily "Standard," DANS have intercepted three intelligence centrals actively functioning in the country, aiming at discrediting the image of Bulgaria as a reliable EU and NATO partner.

Despite the fact there have been no known leaks of classified information, DANS warn foreign intelligence officers are interested in such information all while noting weaknesses in its protection at State institutions and local power.

Foreign intelligence is further interested in assisting their countries' business in securing key positions in the economy and the EU markets.

Corruption is a national security threat over its destructive influence on society, economic development and the country's international image, according to the report. It lists as an example public procurement tenders where the criteria for evaluating bidders are manipulated; where there is monopolization of public orders by a small circle of companies, and there are direct agreements with the contractors to up the value of the orders.

Regarding the judicial system, DANS warn about extremely dangerous for national security secret contacts between magistrates and figures from the underworld, conflict of interests and influence on the court's rulings.

The criminal draining of funds from the National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK) and obsolete road, railroad, port and airport infrastructure also threaten Bulgarians' health and lives, DANS say.

The report further notes the lack of investments in the energy sector and the groundless increase of prices on the part of the electric power utilities.

International terrorism continues to be seen as a threat for Bulgaria despite the fact there is no evidence of a direct danger over the presence of the Bulgarian contingent in Afghanistan. There are, however, attempts to establish terrorist cells in Bulgaria and there are religious cults attracting followers in the country, according to DANS

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