Bulgarian National Bank Projects Stronger Domestic Growth Through 2027
The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has updated its GDP growth forecast for Bulgaria for the 2025–2027 period, showing a more optimistic outlook than its June 2025 projections.
Greece Agrees With Creditors on Review of Rescue Programme
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
BGNES
Greece has reached an agreement with its creditors from the EU and the IMF on key reforms regarding the labour market, cutting expenditures and energy issues, thus moving closer to reaching a preliminary deal concerning the review of the fulfilment of the third rescue programme before the meeting of Finance Ministers of the Euro zone on April 7, reported Reuters, citing sources close to the negotiation process.
According to two unnamed representatives of the EU, Greece will cut expenditures on pensions by up to 1% of GDP in 2019. At the same time, authorities in Athens have agreed to reduce the threshold on the tax-free annual minimum to about EUR 6,000 in order to save more funds amounting to another 1% of GDP.
Regarding labour market reforms, Greece will not be forced liberalise further mass layoffs as initially demanded by the IMF. Collective bargaining, which was partially weakened as part of the necessary reforms envisaged in the rescue programme for 2012, is expected to be restored after the current financial assistance programme ends in the middle of 2018.
It has to be kept in mind that Greece risks becoming insolvent if a final agreement on the review of the third rescue programme is not reached soon.
Related Articles:
EU Eyes Special Representative for Talks with Russia Amid Fear of U.S. Deal
European governments are pressing the European Union leadership to appoint a dedicated representative to lead negotiations with Russia aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine
Bulgaria Among Main EU Hosts for Over 4 Million Ukrainians under Temporary Protection
As of November 30, 2025, over 4.3 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine were under temporary protection across the European Union, according to Eurostat
Society | January 13, 2026, Tuesday // 14:20
Bulgarian Farmers to Protest EU-Mercosur Deal
Bulgarian grain producers are preparing to join Europe-wide protests against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which is scheduled to be officially signed on January 17
Bulgaria Proposes Higher Quotas for Non-EU Workers to Meet Labor Demand
Bulgaria is considering legal changes that would allow companies to hire more workers from non-EU countries, responding to growing labor shortages
Historic Mercosur Agreement Opens Doors for Bulgarian Goods and Services
Nearly all Bulgarian exports to Mercosur countries are set to benefit from the EU trade agreement approved on Friday, according to European Commission data. The pact, the largest in EU history, covers Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Greek Farmers Boycott Talks with PM, Threaten Indefinite Nationwide Blockades
Some Greek farmers have announced that they will not take part in the talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis scheduled for today, escalating their protest actions and warning of long-term road blockades across the country.
Bucharest Introduces New €2-Per-Night Tourist Tax As Part of Wider Tourism Push
Tourists staying in Bucharest are now subject to a new overnight levy after the Romanian capital introduced an accommodation tax of 10 lei per night, equivalent to about €2 or roughly 3.91 leva
Serbian Opposition: EU Membership Made Bulgarians Far Wealthier Than Serbs
Serbian opposition leader Dragan Djilas has argued that EU membership has been decisive for Bulgaria’s economic progress, saying Bulgarians are now about 80 percent wealthier than Serbs because Bulgaria joined the European Union while Serbia did not.
Talks in Paris Bring Hope for Resolution of Greek Farmer Blockades at Bulgaria Border
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said he has been assured by his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the problem with the blockades at the Bulgarian-Greek border will be resolved within the next few days
Paying with Leva in North Macedonia No Longer Possible - Travelers Must Use Euros or Denars
In North Macedonia, the Bulgarian lev is no longer accepted as a form of payment in shops, restaurants, flea markets, and even by taxi drivers. Payments in euros are possible, but only via card transactions.
Serbia to Reintroduce Mandatory Military Service
Serbia is set to restore compulsory military service, President Aleksandar Vucic has announced, as cited by Serbian media. According to him, the reintroduction of regular service will happen soon and is intended to benefit society as a whole
