Bulgaria and the EU

Latest business news about Bulgaria and the European Union.

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Raunchy Bulgarian pop-folk genre gets EU aid — 15 January 2013, 22:01 CET

Bulgaria's top promoter of the region's raunchy pop-folk music genre known as "Chalga" is set to receive some one million euros in EU funding, it emerged Tuesday, sparking an outcry among parts of the cultural establishment.

Bulgaria hopes to use all available EU funds — 10 January 2013, 18:34 CET

Bulgaria has spent just 35 per cent of European aid money made available since it joined the bloc, but plans to use it all by a 2015 payment deadline, the minister in charge of EU funds said on Thursday.

Shah Deniz group to decide on Nabucco route before July — 10 January 2013, 13:42 CET

The consortium developing a huge gas field in Azerbaijan will decide by the end of June whether to pick the EU's flagship Nabucco pipeline as its preferred transport route to Europe, a Nabucco representative said on Thursday.

Bulgaria names new top prosecutor despite EU concerns — 21 December 2012, 12:34 CET

Bulgaria's top judicial body has elected a new chief national prosecutor despite criticism he is too close to the government, even as the European Commission is closely monitoring the country's judiciary.

Bulgaria says Azeri gas group to take 50% stake in Nabucco — 20 December 2012, 21:39 CET

Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz II consortium may acquire as much as 50 percent in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, boosting prospects for its construction by ensuring gas supplies, a Bulgarian company involved said Thursday.

Bulgaria to block start of Macedonia-EU talks — 11 December 2012, 17:07 CET

Bulgaria said Tuesday it will block Macedonia's bid to set a starting date for EU accession talks later this week, after earlier lashing out at what it sees as Skopje's nationalistic rhetoric.

Bulgaria president vetoes cash-for-citizenship law — 06 December 2012, 14:38 CET

Bulgaria's president on Thursday vetoed parts of a new law offering citizenship to anyone investing one million leva (511,000 euros, $668,000) into the EU country's ailing economy.

Bulgaria lashes out at EU hopeful Macedonia — 05 December 2012, 19:08 CET

Bulgaria's president took a swipe at EU hopeful Macedonia on Wednesday, criticising what he called a lack of "good neighbourliness" and rising nationalistic rhetoric.

EU opens anti-trust probe into Bulgarian energy group — 03 December 2012, 14:01 CET

The European Commission has announced an anti-trust probe into Bulgarian Energy Holding on suspicion that it was abusing its dominant market position to limit competition.

Bulgarian judge in nomination row announces retirement — 21 November 2012, 13:41 CET

A Bulgarian judge whose nomination to the country's top court was blocked after objections from Brussels over corruption allegations, said Wednesday she planned to retire.

Bulgarian president blocks controversial judge's oath — 15 November 2012, 14:10 CET

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev blocked on Thursday the swearing-in of a controversial candidate for constitutional court judge because of concern from Brussels over corruption allegations.

Bulgaria hardens stance on Macedonia's EU bid — 31 October 2012, 20:24 CET

Bulgarian officials on Wednesday hardened their stance against neighbouring Macedonia's bid to join the EU, as European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele visited Sofia.

Despite EU concerns, Bulgaria appoints new judges — 01 November 2012, 18:26 CET

Bulgaria's parliament appointed two judges to the country's constitutional court on Wednesday, disregarding European Union concerns about their integrity.

Bulgarian lawmaker sentenced a second time for corruption — 19 October 2012, 18:35 CET

A Bulgarian opposition lawmaker was handed his second jail sentence for corruption in just a year, Sofia's city court announced on Friday.

Car-packed Sofia sets EU example with solar car charger — 17 October 2012, 19:55 CET

Bulgaria's car-packed capital Sofia has set an EU example in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions by installing its first state-of-the-art solar-powered charger for electric cars.

Corruption in Bulgaria up to triple the EU average: study — 26 September 2012, 21:39 CET

Corruption in Bulgaria is two to three times higher than the average inn the 27-member European Union, with some 150,000 bribes paid out on a monthly basis, a new report found Monday.

Bulgaria upends money laundering convictions in EU test case — 21 September 2012, 14:30 CET

A Bulgarian appeals court on Friday overturned money laundering convictions for industrialist Mario Nikolov and five other Bulgarians in what the EU sees as a test case for Sofia's fighting fraud.

Commissioner urges more transparency in Bulgarian media — 20 September 2012, 21:42 CET

The EU's commissioner for new technologies called Thursday for more transparency in the ownership and financing of Bulgarian media outlets, after journalists complained of interference.

Bulgaria moves to protect its rose oil business — 19 September 2012, 19:25 CET

Bulgaria, among the world's largest rose oil producers, has launched a procedure to register its product as a protected geographical label within the EU, the farming ministry said Wednesday.

EU aid boosts Bulgaria growth, employment: minister — 18 September 2012, 17:30 CET

EU aid money has helped Bulgaria boost economic growth, lower unemployment and increase salaries, the government said Tuesday, forecasting further benefits to the economy by 2015.

Bulgaria moves for transparency in election of top judges — 11 September 2012, 18:00 CET

Bulgaria, often criticised by the EU for its judiciary's inefficiency and lack of transparency, began its first ever public hearings of candidates for the top judicial body, parliament announced on Tuesday.

Russia ups to EUR 1bn claim over Bulgaria nuclear deal — 11 September 2012, 11:37 CET

Russia has raised to one billion euros its compensation claim against Bulgaria over Sofia's decision to drop a deal for a Russian firm to build a new nuclear power plant.

Barroso urges more fiscal consolidation from Bulgaria — 01 September 2012, 00:39 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed Bulgaria's move to cut its budget deficit during a visit here Friday, but called for further fiscal consolidation to reassure the markets.

EU welcomes French Roma pledges, now wants action — 22 August 2012, 22:56 CET

The European Commission on Wednesday welcomed the "very constructive spirit" of French government moves to ease Roma integration, but said it now wanted to see action.

Council of Europe urges long-term fix in France Roma row — 21 August 2012, 21:28 CET

The Council of Europe urged France on Tuesday to "go beyond short-term measures" for its Roma population, as the country seeks to end a row over its treatment of the ethnic migrants.