Bulgaria
Macron urges Sofia and Skopje to solve their dispute amid tensions in Europe
Pressure on Sofia to lift its veto and allow North Macedonia to start EU accession talks has increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised fears of destabilisation in the Western Balkans.
Net FDI in Bulgaria jumps four times y/y through March to €1.05bn
The new government's pledged to improve the economic and political environment has yielded results despite the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices.
bneGREEN: Raising EU green targets will cost an extra €195bn
The European Commission is considering raising its renewable energy target for 2030 to 45% in new green plans to be published later in May.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Bulgaria considers vetoing EU’s embargo on Russian oil imports
Bulgaria want to delay implementation of the ban on Russian oil imports planned by the EU so that its sole refinery, Lukoil Bulgaria, gets time to adjust to process other type of oil.
Former Bulgarian PM launches new party to woo pro-Russian voters
Sacked for his pro-Russian stance, Stefan Yanev says his Bulgarian Rise party will “defend Bulgaria’s dignity”.
Where the 11 Southeast European states stand on the Ukraine war
Southeast Europe is split over the issues of sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, with some states firmly in the western camp, some staying neutral and others internally torn.
Construction of Alexandroupolis LNG terminal launched to help reduce Balkans’ dependence on Russian gas
Greece is set to become a major gas supplier for the Balkans region, as investments aimed at achieving independence from Russian gas accelerate across Europe.
Bulgaria’s president, government in open conflict over military aid for Ukraine
The war in Ukraine drew a clear line in Bulgarian political life, with President Rumen Radev positioning himself firmly on Moscow’s side and opposing the government’s plans to approve military aid to Ukraine.
BOOK REVIEW: How the handling of migration from the eastern EU states pushed the UK towards Brexit
“Here to Stay: Eastern Europeans in Britain” tells the story of the half million citizens of the new EU member states who have moved to the UK since the early 21st century.
Emerging Europe growth to fall to an average of 3% this year, says wiiw
Russian GDP forecast to fall by 9-15% this year, while Ukraine's economy could collapse by 38-45%.
Shame and anger in Bulgaria as PM urges citizens to donate salaries to buy weapons for Ukraine
Kiril Petrov appeals to citizens to donate directly after failing to persuade his coalition partners to back military aid to Ukraine.
Top Bulgarian politicians to visit Kyiv amid row over military aid
Ruling coalition is divided over whether Bulgaria should provide military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine conflict will trigger recessions across CEE, says Capital Economics
Russian GDP forecast to slump 12% in 2022, while Ukraine's GDP will halve. Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Baltic states will have two quarters of negative growth.
Outcry in North Macedonia over Bulgarian cultural centre named for Nazi collaborator
North Macedonia’s opposition and Jewish community call on EU to condemn Bulgaria for naming cultural centre after Nazi collaborator amid efforts by the two countries to resolve differences and unblock Skopje’s EU path.
Bulgaria’s inflation hits 14-year peak of 12.4% y/y in March
Government considers cutting taxes on bread, fruit and vegetables after high energy prices and the war in Ukraine pushed up inflation.
Bulgaria’s parliament closes specialised court, prosecution amid fierce opposition
Closure of specialised prosecution and court seen as a step towards restoration of the rule of law in the EU’s most corrupt country.
Bulgaria’s BSP threatens to quit ruling coalition over possible military aid to Ukraine
The pro-Russian BSP has fiercely opposed any suggestions that Sofia might provide military equipment to Ukraine since the start of the war, arguing the country must remain neutral.
Bulgaria to develop AI research centre in partnership with Google, AWS
INSAIT will aim to nurture state-of-the-art advances in AI and computing through open research, aiming to foster a competitive high-tech economic environment in the country.
Bulgaria’s ruling coalition divided over nomination for central bank governor
Bulgaria’s four-party ruling coalition is facing its biggest challenge since taking power after two of its members backed rival candidates to become the new central bank governor.
