Browsing: Bulgaria

Timcho Mucunski, North Macedonia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, asserts that NATO’s strength is at an all-time high under US leadership. He cites last year’s The Hague summit commitment to increased defence spending amid ongoing threats from Russia and global instability, countering European concerns over US relations.

Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party has dominated the recent parliamentary elections, securing 44.7 per cent of the vote and likely winning approximately 130 seats in a 240-member parliament. This victory raises hopes for a more stable government in a nation that has seen eight elections in five years.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will attend the US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace gathering to discuss Gaza, despite concerns over governance and charter issues, signalling continued EU engagement in post-war reconstruction efforts.

European Union defence ministers have approved the national investment plans of eight member states, enabling the first disbursements under the €150 billion Security Action for Europe scheme. Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas emphasised the EU’s commitment to strengthening security amid rising defence needs.

The European Union’s anti-corruption efforts have stalled, with Hungary and Bulgaria scoring the lowest in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, said Flora Cresswell, regional advisor for Europe. The findings are crucial as the EU prepares to adopt a new Anti-Corruption Directive.

Real household income in Europe has risen by about 7% since the COVID-19 pandemic, with Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Croatia seeing increases of 15-20%. This disparity highlights economic inequalities across the continent, affecting purchasing power.

On 2 February, Israel reopened the Rafah crossing into Gaza, marking progress in the US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas, according to Martin Konečný, director of the European Middle East Project. The reopening follows the return of the last Israeli hostage.

EU lawmakers back a declaration to enhance the bloc’s leadership in fusion energy, emphasizing innovation as key to sustainable and independent energy solutions.

Investigator claims the elusive ‘Cryptoqueen,’ behind a staggering £3.6 billion scam, is still alive, reigniting hopes of unraveling the mystery.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said the EU’s green light on Wednesday for the Balkan country to adopt the euro next year confirmed its progress.