Inside Bulgaria's Easter Celebrations: Traditions Passed Through Generations
Today marks the joyous celebration of Easter, one of the most significant holidays in the Orthodox Christian calendar.
"Heads of services do not coordinate with partner countries - there is no such legal requirement, nor such a practice". This was stated before the MPs by the chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) Plamen Tonchev.
In the National Assembly, the directors of the special services are being heard after the leaked recording from the National Council of "We Continue the Change". At the proposal of "Vazrazhdane", the deputies voted to broadcast the meeting live on the National Television.
During his hearing, Plamen Tonchev stated that the allegations that the appointment of heads of services is coordinated with partner countries because of the need to access classified EU and NATO information are untrue.
"The appointment of the chairman of SANS is carried out according to a strictly legal procedure, which is only within the framework of the Republic of Bulgaria. On the proposal of the Council of Ministers, they are appointed by decree of the president. None of the requirements of the law provide for candidacies for the chairman of SANS to coordinate with anyone, including foreign embassies. There is a legal order for access to national classified information and to that of NATO and the EU. We, as members of the EU and NATO, also do not coordinate candidates for heads of partner services", said Plamen Tonchev.
He also denied hints of Russian influence in the services, pointing out the ability of SANS to detect such cells in its structures. Tonchev recalled the case in which two employees of SANS were caught in such behavior, as a result of which they are currently accused, and Russian diplomats have been declared persona non grata in our country.
"Unproven allegations create reputational damage not only to the services, but also to the state. Attempts to discredit institutions, instilling uncertainty and division among society, is an element of the hybrid reactions, including that of Moscow," said Plamen Tonchev.
In response, Daniel Laurer cited legal texts governing the cooperation of SANS with partner services and asked:
"Is it normal practice to ask partner services for information? Is it normal practice for this exchange to happen in mutual trust between partner services? Can they fulfill their legal obligations if they do not enjoy the partner services' full trust and access to classified information from NATO and the EU?"
The parliamentary group of "Vazrazhdane" once again repeated their position that the coordination of the heads of the services with foreign embassies is treason.
The directors of SANS, the State Intelligence Agency and the military intelligence were answering questions in parliament after the leaked recordings from the National Council of "We Continue the Change", which said that the appointed heads of the Bulgarian security services were coordinated with embassies of foreign countries
Follow Novinite.com on Twitter and Facebook
Write to us at editors@novinite.com
Информирайте се на Български - Novinite.bg
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Recent developments in North Macedonia suggest a further decline in relations with Bulgaria, with the presidential elections serving as a litmus test for the sentiment towards Bulgaria within the country.
A significant blow has been dealt to the media landscape in Bulgaria as the National Assembly approved a ban on gambling advertisements across television, news websites, and print media
Bulgaria's Defense Minister, Atanas Zapryanov, affirmed that the reintroduction of mandatory conscription is not under consideration amidst the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance military personnel remuneration.
In response to ongoing staffing challenges within the Bulgarian army, the caretaker government is exploring alternative solutions, with military training for security personnel emerging as a potential strategy
Former Bulgarian Prime Minister and Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Sergey Stanishev has announced his return to politics but clarified that he will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary or European elections
A recent survey conducted by Exacta Research Group sheds light on the electoral landscape in Bulgaria, indicating a clear lead for the GERB coalition as the country gears up for parliamentary elections on June 9
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022