Bulgaria and the EU

Latest business news about Bulgaria and the European Union.

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EU rejects Israeli request to blacklist Hezbollah — 24 July 2012, 22:50 CET

The European Union turned down a request Tuesday by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to blacklist Hezbollah as a terror group after last week's deadly bombing in Bulgaria.

Israel to urge EU to blacklist Hezbollah after Burgas blast — 22 July 2012, 21:52 CET

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is to head to Brussels on Monday to press his European Union counterparts to blacklist Hezbollah as a terror group after a deadly bombing in Bulgaria.

Police struggle to identify Bulgaria suicide bomber — 21 July 2012, 14:14 CET

Bulgarian police along with the CIA, FBI and Interpol are struggling to identify a suicide bomber who killed six people, including five Israelis, as the United States said the attack bore the "hallmarks" of Hezbollah.

Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria — 18 July 2012, 18:14 CET

The European Commission has adopted a report on progress made by under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). The report covers a period of five years since Bulgaria's accession to the EU in 2007 and presents the Commission's assessment of progress achieved in Bulgaria during this period in the area of judicial reform, the fight against corruption and the fight against organised crime. Its main conclusion is that deeper implementation of reforms is needed in order for the process to become irreversible.

Bulgaria passes new waste law in bid to dodge EU fines — 28 June 2012, 19:32 CET

Bulgaria's parliament passed a new waste management law Thursday meant to bring the country into line with European Union rules and avoid the looming threat of non-compliance fines.

Excessive Deficit Procedure recommendations on Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary - guide — 30 May 2012, 16:24 CET

Along with the country-specific recommendations and the conclusions of the in-depth reviews, the European Commission is today also making three proposals to the Council related to the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP). Firstly, the Commission is recommending that the Council abrogate the EDP for Bulgaria and Germany, as foreseen in Article 126(12) of the Treaty. In March, Bulgaria and Germany notified that their 2011 general government deficit was below 3% of GDP. Following the validation of these figures by Eurostat on 23 April 2012, and also taking into account that the Commission's 2012 spring forecast shows that these deficits will remain durably below 3% of GDP, the Commission has concluded that the correction of their excessive deficits is ensured. Secondly, the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council decision to lift the suspension of commitments from the Cohesion Fund for Hungary, after concluding that the country has taken the necessary action to correct its excessive deficit, in line with the Council Recommendation of 13 March 2012. More specifically, the Commission has concluded in its assessment that the 2012 budget deficit target of 2.5% of GDP is expected to be reached and the 2013 budget deficit is expected to be well below the 3% of GDP reference value, despite the slight weakening of the macroeconomic environment, as indicated by the Commission in its 2012 spring forecast. The Commission will continue to closely monitor budgetary developments in Hungary, in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact.

Bulgarian PM says against joint eurobonds — 24 May 2012, 13:42 CET

Bulgaria is against the issuing of eurobonds for joint borrowing by strong and weak EU members together but supports a financial transaction tax, the government press office announced Thursday.

Doing business in Bulgaria: Sustainability — 23 May 2012, 13:14 CET

This guide outlines the corporate social responsibility standards that businesses in Bulgaria have to comply with.

Bulgaria: country overview — 30 May 2012, 01:22 CET

Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, averaged more than 6% growth from 2004 to 2008, driven by significant amounts of foreign direct investment.

Bulgarian president to skip Yalta summit — 07 May 2012, 21:08 CET

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev will not attend a Yalta summit of central European states in mid-May, his office said Friday, citing concerns over the state of human rights in Ukraine.

Bulgaria adopts new asset recovery law to fight corruption — 03 May 2012, 23:07 CET

Bulgaria's parliament adopted late Thursday measures recommended by the European Union to fight corruption and counter unexplained wealth.

Bulgarian police uncover euro counterfeiting ring — 13 April 2012, 16:12 CET

Bulgarian police seized one million euros worth of fake banknotes and busted two illegal printing facilities, arresting nine alleged members of a counterfeiting ring, the interior ministry said Friday.

Bulgaria holds out hope of entering visa-free Schengen zone — 02 March 2012, 18:07 CET

President Rosen Plevneliev said Friday that Bulgaria would continue to seek entry into the visa-free Schengen zone, after the decision was postponed until September.

Interim Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria — 08 February 2012, 17:25 CET

When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime. To smooth the entry of both countries and at the same time safeguard the workings of its policies and institutions, the EU decided to establish a special "cooperation and verification mechanism" to help them address these outstanding shortcomings. In December 2006, the Commission set criteria ("benchmarks") for assessing progress made on these issues (consult the reports). The decision to continue assessing Bulgaria and Romania shows the EU's commitment to see the two countries develop the effective administrative and judicial systems they need to deliver on the obligations of membership as well as enjoying the benefits. Progress on judicial reform, corruption and organized crime will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to enjoy their full rights as EU citizens.

EU funding shortfall for ex-Soviet nuclear plants clean-up — 08 February 2012, 11:41 CET

The EU faces a shortfall of some 2.5 billion euros to complete de-commissioning of eight ex-Soviet nuclear plants in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia, says the European Court of Auditors.

Bulgaria's President Plevneliev takes office — 22 January 2012, 12:22 CET

Bulgaria's conservative President Rosen Plevneliev took office Sunday, urging national unity around the goal of improving the economy and the country's image within the EU.

Commission report on transitional arrangements regarding free movement of workers from Bulgaria and Romania — 14 November 2011, 15:48 CET

A new report published today by the European Commission highlights the overall positive role that mobile workers from Bulgaria and Romania (EU-2) have played in receiving countries' economies.

Reports on progress in Bulgaria and Romania — 18 February 2011, 15:36 CET

The Commission reports under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism every 6 months on progress with judicial reform, the fight against corruption and, concerning Bulgaria, the fight against organised crime.

European Commission Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification for Bulgaria and Romania — 20 July 2010, 15:30 CET

The Commission reports under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism every 6 months on progress with judicial reform, the fight against corruption and, concerning Bulgaria, the fight against organised crime.

Bulgaria and Romania move a step closer to Schengen area — 10 June 2010, 23:33 CET

Bulgaria and Romania have moved a step closer to having their border checks with the borderless Schengen area lifted. An EU Council decision that both comply with data security requirements for joining the "Schengen Information System" border control database was approved by the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday.

Commission authorises Bulgaria to grant limited aid to farmers — 22 April 2010, 01:22 CET

The European Commission authorised a Bulgarian scheme with a budget of BGN 20 million (approximately € 10,26 million) which aims at supporting agricultural holdings.

Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria - March 2010 - briefing — 23 March 2010, 16:44 CET

When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime. To smooth the entry of both countries and at the same time safeguard the workings of its policies and institutions, the EU decided to establish a special "cooperation and verification mechanism" to help them address these outstanding shortcomings.

Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria — 04 November 2009, 12:36 CET

Contacts of the European Commission representation in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria Investment Climate 2009 — 04 November 2009, 12:36 CET

Bulgaria has put in place a liberal foreign investment regime, including low, flat corporate and income taxes and competitive incentives to attract high levels of foreign investment.

Access to finance — 24 May 2012, 13:42 CET

Finance for small and medium sized enterprises in Bulgaria can be obtained by anyone who is a trader according to the Commercial Law, as well as self-employed tradespeople or freelancers, if their activity can be considered to be an enterprise as per the Commercial Law.