SofiaEcho RSS feed Bulgaria abroad

European Commission meets target for recruiting Bulgarians, Romanians

The Sofia Echo staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:15:00 +0200

‘I am delighted we managed to identify and attract some of the brightest and best people from Bulgaria and Romania to come and work at the European Commission,’ EC Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said.

Cold spell should ease its grip on Europe next week, World Meteorological Organisation says

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:16:00 +0200

The current ‘negative Arctic Oscillation’ – a weather phenomenon which leads to cold conditions in Europe and relatively warmer conditions in the Arctic – should shift into a more neutral pattern within the next two to three weeks.

Cold snap hits Europe; thaw a threat

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0200

The extreme cold has been blamed for almost 400 deaths across Europe. In Ukraine, where temperatures have fallen below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the cold is blamed for at least 122 deaths. Many of the victims were homeless.

Bulgaria among EU’s lowest government debt-to-GDP ratios – Eurostat

The Sofia Echo staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0200

At the end of Q3 2011, the highest government debt to GDP ratio was in Greece, at 159.1 per cent.

Bulgaria calls for rapid adoption of UN Security Council resolution on Syria

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:14:00 +0200

Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov says that Bulgaria supports the draft Security Council resolution presented by Morocco because it outlines a peaceful transition process that is the only way to stop the killings of civilians in Syria.

Opting in

Alex Bivol — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:03:00 +0200

Bulgaria ready to join new European fiscal pact, Finance Minister says.

Foreign Ministry urges Bulgarians to leave Syria

The Sofia Echo staff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0200

'We advise all who intend to travel to Syria to not proceed, regardless of the purpose of the visit,'the Foreign Ministry in Sofia said.

Prepare contingency plans to deal with economic downturn, World Bank urges emerging Europe

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:20:00 +0200

Countries in the region of Europe and Central Asia should evaluate their vulnerabilities and prepare contingencies to deal with both the immediate and longer-term effects of an economic downturn.

German socialist Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:15:00 +0200

Schulz got 387 votes out of 699 cast, defeating UK conservative MEP Nirj Deva and British liberal Dianna Wallis.

Bulgarian survivors of Costa Concordia shipwreck to return home soon

The Sofia Echo staff — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:56:00 +0200

On January 15, rescue workers said that they had made contact with a third survivor. Forty people were still missing.

Bulgarian with 18kg of cocaine arrested at airport in Rome

The Sofia Echo staff — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:48:00 +0200

The Bulgarian, who was accompanied by a Romanian, was on a flight from Brazil.

Thirty-two per cent increase in Bulgarian visas issued to Russian citizens in 2011

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:29:00 +0200

In 2011, Bulgarian consulates in the Russian Federation issued 390 882 visas to Russian citizens, 32 per cent more than in 2010, the Foreign Ministry in Sofia says.

Europe ushers in New Year with worries over economic future

Stefan Bos, VOANews — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:50:00 +0200

Europeans woke with a hangover from 2011, when their continent plunged into its deepest economic crisis in decades.

Bulgaria’s Turkish party leader Dogan meets Turkish FM Davutoglu in Edirne

The Sofia Echo staff — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:59:00 +0200

Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan attends conference of Turkish ambassadors from around the world.

Italy fully opening its labour market to Bulgarians and Romanians from January 1 2012

The Sofia Echo staff — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:51:00 +0200

Italy is the 17th member country of the EU, which, in accordance with the principle of free movement of EU citizens, has terminated restrictive measures on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to the relevant labour market that were in effect during a transitional period, Bulgaria says.

Eurozone finance chiefs seek to boost IMF rescue fund

VOANews — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:50:00 +0200

European finance ministers are trying to raise more money to fight the continent's governmental debt crisis.

MEPs reiterate call to open EU labour markets to Bulgarians and Romanians

The Sofia Echo staff — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:55:00 +0200

There are no real economic justifications for restricting the fundamental right of citizens of Bulgaria and Romania to work and reside in any EU member state, resolution approved by the European Parliament on December 15 2011 says.

Netherlands’ Leers re-states Dutch opposition to Bulgaria, Romania joining Schengen

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:37:00 +0200

Issue stays where it was – on the agenda for EU leaders in 2012.

EU ministers ‘to recommend Bulgaria and Romania sea and air borders join Schengen in March 2012’ – report

The Sofia Echo staff — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:23:00 +0200

Draft recommendation on the agenda of EU justice and home affairs meeting on December 14, Bulgarian National Television says.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister welcomes Croatia’s EU treaty signing

The Sofia Echo staff — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:18:00 +0200

Historic day for Croatia and the region, Mladenov says.