EU-DIGEST

Bulgarian defence industry switches to energy – due to lack of government support - by Nick LLiev

Bulgarian defence companies and the entire Bulgarian defence industry have declared themselves against the selection organised by the Defence Ministry (MoD)that excluded local business from participating in important Government orders, and declared that they were contemplating a shift towards the energy projects. According to the executive manager of Samel-90 AD, Petar Georgiev, the selective process implemented by the Bulgarian army for the modernisation process of the three branches of the forces were grossly unsatisfactory. Such conditions have been applied and demanded on the local industry that they were simply beyond any comprehensible reach for the local firms – too much experience or annual budget is required – which was insurmountable for the Bulgarian companies at present, due to the complete lack of financial support and subsidies from the Government in the first place.

“We don’t know if Bulgarians are doing this, or if this is done with some foreign consultants,” Georgiev said, as quoted by Mediapool.bg.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU

Bulgaria in talks to import Egyptian natural gas reducing dependence on Russian energy linking existing Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline

Sameh Fahmy the Egyptian oil minister held talks today (Thursday) in Bulgaria about selling up to 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to the EU country, which is trying to cut its dependence on Russian energy imports. Egypt's Oil Minister said deliveries could begin in 2011-2012, starting at half a billion cubic meters per year.Dimitrov said Egyptian gas could come to Bulgaria through the existing Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline if Turkey and Egypt were to link their gas networks. Such a link, he said, would be 'crucial to guarantee Egyptian supplies for the Nabucco gas pipeline project. The Nabucco pipeline was built to ease Europe's reliance on Russian energy. The EU gets about one-third of its oil and about 40 percent of its natural gas from Russia.

Labels: Bulgaria, Egypt, EU, Gas Supplies, Greece, Italy, Turkey

Bulgaria’s Foreign Investments Drop by EUR 1,173 B in January-August 2008

The foreign direct investments in Bulgaria decreased by EUR 1,17 B in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. The news were announced by Bulgaria's Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov during an investment forum in Sofia on Wednesday.

According to the preliminary data, Bulgaria's foreign direct investments amounted to EUR 2,980 B in January-August, 2008, or 8,8% of the GDP, compared to EUR 4,154 B or 14,4 of the GDP in the same period of 2007.

Labels: Bulgaria, Economy, EU

The Sex Industry in Bulgaria Generates 1 Billion Euro Income - by Stefan Nikolov

Ex Secretary of the police Tzvyatko Tzvetkov said at a round table that the monthly income of a prostitute is 12-18 thousand Euro. According to Tzvetkov the total turnover from the sex industry in Bulgaria is 1 billion Euro. There are 300 clubs with prostitutes in Bulgaria as 100 of them are in Sofia. Tzvetkov added that the prostitution business is third in Bulgaria after the drugs business and the stolen cars business. He also noted that in Bulgaria policemen protect prostitutes, trucks with cigarettes, drugs traffic and a solution must be devised for breaking police connections with crime.

Labels: Bulgaria, Economy, EU, Prostitution, Sex tourism

The Balkan Blushes - Bulgaria, Romania and the EU

On July 23rd the European Commission issued critical reports on Bulgaria’s and Romania’s progress (or lack of it) in fighting corruption and spending European Union money. Yet after intense lobbying, the language was weaker than in the scalding drafts leaked earlier. And the commission dropped an explicit warning that Bulgaria was endangering its chances of joining the euro and the Schengen passport-free travel area.

Even so, the reports hit home, complaining of a “striking” absence of convincing results in Bulgaria’s anti-corruption fight, and of a “grave problem” over the “lack of accountability and transparency in public procurement” when spending EU funds. The commission announced severe sanctions, suspending aid worth as much as €486m ($770m). Without reform, the suspended sum will rise sharply by November.Worries about Bulgaria and Romania, especially over their ability to administer nearly €38 billion promised by the EU up to 2013, are hardly new.If you wanted to discredit the EU, squandering taxpayers’ money in its most corrupt new members, Romania and Bulgaria, would be one way to go about it. Yet though Brussels is disappointed and even angry about the two countries’ performance since joining the club in January 2007, Eurocrats are not sure what to do.

Note EU-Digest:Not knowing what to do is a very poor excuse - the EU must take strong actions against this flagrant misuse of European Tax payers funds by Bulgaria and Romania.

Labels: Bulgaria, Corruption, EU, Romania

Macedonia Summit: EU Hopefuls Say Europe Needs the Balkans, Turkey

Balkan nations and Turkey are integral to European stability and should be swiftly accepted into the European Union, regional leaders said at a summit in Macedonia. The European Union would benefit from allowing the Balkans and Turkey to quickly join the bloc, the leaders of 19 mainly central and southern European countries said at a summit in Ohrid, Macedonia on Friday, May 2. Integrating the countries into the EU would stabilize south-eastern Europe, particularly in the wake of Kosovo's independence, they said. "Europe can't be whole without expanding to the western Balkans," Albanian President Bamir Topi said during the meeting's first joint session. The annual two-day summit was focused on the prospect of EU membership.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Macedonia, Turkey

EC says did not pressure Bulgaria to sack Petkov - by Alex Bivol

The European Commission did not put any pressure on Bulgaria's Cabinet to sack Interior Minister Roumen Petkov, Commission spokesperson Mark Gray said on April 14, as quoted by Bulgarian National Radio. The issue was a domestic matter, decided by Bulgarian authorities alone, Gray said. Asked whether Bulgaria has enough time to meet the EC's requirements before the next interim report on progress with judiciary reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime is published, Gray said it was up to the Bulgarian Cabinet to make the effort to speed up reforms. The report is due in July. European Union experts will travel to Bulgaria and Romania, both of whom have safeguard clauses written into their EU accession treaties, to assess the progress in April and May. The two countries joined the EU together in January 2007.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU

Bulgaria Minister Quits Over Graft Scandal

Bulgaria's Interior Minister has resigned amid a string of corruption scandals in his ministry. "I take the responsibility for certain personnel decisions in the Interior Ministry by which I have misled the government," Rumen Petkov said at a news conference. Petkov insisted that his resignation was "not a sign of weakness, or yielding to pressure," but rather a necessary step to reforming his ministry.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU

Bulgaria Ratifies Lisbon Treaty; European Commission Commends Approval - by D.C. Morales

The Bulgarian parliament ratified on Friday the Lisbon Treaty, by a vote of 199-15 with one abstention, becoming the sixth European Union member to adopt the treaty. The five other E.U. members that have approved the Lisbon Treaty are France, Malta, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia. If the other 21 E.U. members will endorse the treaty, it will be enforced in January next year. The Lisbon Treaty was signed by E.U. heads of state last December that have vowed to ratify it before European Parliament elections next year to erase doubts about the region's future direction.

The treaty will streamline the E.U.'s operations by cutting the size of the European Parliament, limiting the use of national vetoes and creating a post of more permanent president and European foreign policy heads. It will make E.U.'s much-needed institutional reforms possible.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU CONSTITUTION, Lisbon Treaty

Bulgaria -The Purvanov Hours

On January 27, President Georgi Purvanov, accompanied by Vice President Angel Marin, faced both media and the public for more than three hours in a live broadcast. The event, organised by the Presidency and Bulgarian National Television, marked the end of Purvanov’s first year of his second consecutive five-year term in office. After his opening speech, Purvanov answered questions from journalists and BNT viewers. This is an edited version.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU

Bulgaria signs deal on new pipeline to Europe

Bulgaria has signed a deal with Moscow to join a major new pipeline project to bring Russian natural gas to Europe on the second day of a visit that Russian President Vladimir Putin used to lobby hard for the deal. The pipeline would deal a blow to European hopes of reducing dependence on Russia as an energy source amid fears in Brussels that Moscow is acquiring too much economic leverage over EU members. Speaking after the signing in Sofia, Putin said the deal will benefit European consumers by assuring new energy supplies. "I want to particularly stress that the construction of this new infrastructure does not mean a decrease in our cooperation with other transit countries," he said. "The creation of new routes ensures security, increases stability, and creates new transit capabilities for the growing supplies of energy resources to European consumers."

Labels: Bulgaria, Energy, EU, Pipeline, Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin is expected to sign the agreement for South Stream gas pipeline during his visit to Bulgaria on January 17 and 18 2008. The South Stream gas pipeline, to be built by gas giants Gazprom of Russia and ENI of Italy, will deliver Russian gas to Austria, through its northern arm, and to Italy, through its southern. South Stream pipeline will be 900 km long and its annual capacity is expected to be at least 30 billion cu m of gas. The project will cost between 10 and 12 billion euro.

Labels: Bulgaria, Energy, EU, Gas Supplies, Russia

Slovenia Steps into European Spotlight

For the next six months Slovenia will sit at the epicenter of the EU. Taking on the presidency is an unprecedented challenge for the affluent Alpine country of 2 million people. Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. In the years since, it has sprinted towards the West, joining both the EU and NATO in 2004. Now, it's the first new EU member country to lead the 27-nation bloc. "This is a historic project for us," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel. "It's not normal for us to be asked to lead such a presidency and so we want to make an extra effort." Slovenia has budgeted 62 million euros as it has hired a slew of translators and advisors to make sure the next six months go over smoothly. The country will be responsible for organizing dozens of conferences, including minister-level meetings. Slovenia sees the presidency as a chance to increase its visibility in Europe.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU

Bulgaria: Skiing Conditions Good in Bulgaria

A week after the official opening of the season, the skiing conditions in all Bulgarian mountain resorts are good and many may combine their Christmas holiday with a swoosh or two down the slopes. In the resort of Pamporovo the snow cover is 60 centimeters, in Bansko and Borovest it reaches close to 2 meters. All ski runs are open. Temperatures even at 2,000 meters above sea level range between -2 to -4 C below zero and the weather will remain calm and stable without strong winds.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Skiing, Tourism

BULGARIA AND ROMANIA - THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO REPROACH BULGARIA AGAIN FOR ORGANISED CRIME AND CORRUPTION - by - Spasena Baramova

Bulgaria and Romania were still not presenting convincing enough results from their campaigns against corruption and organised crime, France press agency commented based on a preliminary report by the European Commission due to be published on November 6. Although a lot had been done, there was still room for progress in this sphere, the report said. The report focuses its attention mainly on the Balkan countries applying for membership in the EU – Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia and Turkey, Dnevnik daily reported.

According to the report, the EU would not accept new members in the next few years.

Labels: Bulgaria, Corruption, EU, Romania

Our brothers Bulgarians: We betrayed Russia, but we still love it! - - by Darya Aslamova

Despite past discord, Bulgaria is Russia’s nearest relative. The tree of our friendship has often brought bitter fruit, but we share a common writing system, a common religion and culture and the common Slavic blood. And, as we know, blood is thicker than water. And considering the underlying causes, those common memories and heroic legends, Bulgarians will forever remain our brothers – our last brothers in Eastern Europe."How come have Bulgarians forgotten about the Bulgarian-Russian friendship? In history, we were not just friends, we were almost lovers.

How could you start obeying the USA - with their military bases and anti-Russian policy? "" Well, dear, we did not obey the USA, we have just made a small bow”, Svetla smiles bitterly. – To obey someone and lie underneath someone – there is no element of reciprocity in that. Women know this best.... As far as the USA is concerned… I’ll put it that way… they made us bow… they made us sleep with them”.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Russia

Libya cashes in on misery

The Sordid saga of the Bulgarian nurses effectively held hostage by Libya since 1999, accused of intentionally infecting more than 400 children with the virus that causes AIDS, appears to be nearing resolution. So much about the case has been cynical and shabby that its distasteful ending is hardly a surprise. The families of the infected children waited until yesterday morning to verify that cheques for one million dollars had cleared, allowing them to sign agreements renouncing their claims for the Bulgarian nurses to be executed.

Libya's ruler, Muammar Qaddafi, never appeared embarrassed that two eminent international experts in the field of HIV infection, Luc Montagnier and Vittorio Colizzi, testified that the children were infected with HIV a year before the arrival of the Bulgarian medical staff, most probably because of poor hygiene at the hospital. With public opinion in Libya outraged, a show trial of the Bulgarians (several of whom insist they were tortured to sign confessions), was in order.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Libya

EU Commission critical of Romania and Bulgaria - by Thys Papot

Romania, as well as Bulgaria, is showing insufficient progress in the fight against corruption and reforming legal powers. The reforms look good on paper, but fail to be carried out, according to the report. The Commission is especially critical of the impotence of Bulgaria in getting to grips with organized crime. Liquidations are common, but are rarely solved.

Romania and Bulgaria last year received the green light from the European Commission, but now the green light has turned to yellow. Brussels is critical of reform efforts so far by the new member states in the areas of justice and corruption, but finds it still too early for concrete sanctions.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Romania

Bulgaria: British Teenagers Come to Bulgaria for "Orgies of Boozing, Sex"

Bargain flights, cut-price hotels and cheap drink are giving British teenagers licence to save their money and lose their inhibitions in Bulgaria.

Labels: Bulgaria, Sex

Bulgaria: "Stylish Sofia" - by Carol Pucci

In the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, the "S" stands for style. The latest trend is the open-air lounge furnished with couches upholstered in suede and living room-style coffee tables.

Sofia's a bargain as big cities go. It would be stretching it to call it the next Prague, but there's plenty of churches, museums, markets, parks and gardens to easily fill two days, and lots of stylish restaurants and cafes.

Sofia's history comes together in its mix of Christian Orthodox, Islamic and Jewish churches. There is a Banya Bashi mosque, built by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. Facing the mosque is Sofia's Jewish quarter where an Israeli investor has restored a historic indoor market, called the Hali, filled with shops selling wine, olives, bread and cheeses. Behind the market is a Jewish synagogue.

Labels: Bulgaria, Religious tolerance

New Danube Bridge Between Bulgaria and Romania Gets Go-ahead

Bulgarian authorities on Sunday gave the formal go-ahead for the building of a new bridge over the Danube. The bridge will connect the northwest town of Vidin with Kalafat in Romania, shortening the land route from Sofia to northern and western Europe by more than 300 km.Currently, only one bridge linking Rousse and Giurgiu, 250km northeast of Bulgaria’s capital, connects the two countries along their 500km river border. Facing that longer route, most Bulgarians prefer to travel to Europe via Serbia.

The completion of the new bridge, scheduled for 2010, is expected to redirect a significant part of the traffic now using the Serbian route.

Labels: Bulgaria, Romania

EU membership increases confidence in Bulgaria's property market - by Andrew MacDowall

European Union membership has increased the confidence of foreign investors in Bulgaria’s real estate sector across the board and a wider range of nationalities are expected to invest in the country in coming years. Currently, 29 per cent of real estate sales in the country are made to foreigners, mainly British (67 per cent) and Irish (12 per cent). Other EU members have been less enthusiastic about entering the market, with Germans accounting for four per cent of sales and Italians three per cent. In 2007, it is expected that the British will account for most foreign purchases.

Labels: Bulgaria, EU, Real Estate