site.btaSofia, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, No.38
DNEWS 06:40:01 15-02-2022
TE0107DN.001 06:40
Daily News - Sofia, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, No.38
Sofia, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, No.38
Biggest Risk to Bulgaria's Security Is Neglecting Problems
Plaguing Its Armed Forces - President Radev
Soungourlare, Southern Bulgaria - Speaking to reporters here on Monday, President Rumen Radev said that the biggest risk to this country's security is neglecting the problems plaguing the armed forces. The armed forces shall not be remembered only in times of crises and catastrophes, Radev said.
Approached to comment Tuesday's meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) convened by Radev to consider national security risks and threats and the state of the armed forces, the President said that "attention should be paid at all times and at the highest state level to the combat worthiness of the Bulgarian armed forces". He said that precisely these issues will be discussed at the CCNS meeting on Tuesday.
Asked whether Bulgaria should accept the deployment of additional US forces if so proposed by the United States, Radev said that "as it is well known, Bulgaria is part of the efforts for de-escalation, and part of the efforts for strengthening NATO's Eastern flank". Radev also said that a joint air policing mission of the Bulgarian air space with NATO allies has started. In Radev's words, "Bulgaria is open to all allies for participation of their units to contribute in filling up a deficit of capabilities in the Bulgarian land forces".
Approached by reporters whether a full-scale war is to be expected in Ukraine and what Bulgaria's position should be in such a scenario, Radev said that such a development will be averted. "You see, negotiations are being held at the highest political level daily. There is no military solution to this crisis. Anyone who thinks that the crisis will be solved through military means is wrong. The only way to find a sustainable solution is through negotiations and diplomacy," Radev said.
In Soungourlare, the head of State took part in events for the holiday of the municipality marked on February 14 which is celebrated as the day of vine growers and wine makers in Bulgaria as it is the day of their patron saint, Tryphon. Soungourlare is an area with strong vine-growing and wine-making traditions.
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Vice President Iliana Iotova said, speaking to reporters, that guarantees are needed for the Bulgarian communities in Ukraine as they constitute the biggest Bulgarian historical diaspora.
In Iotova's words, if a real conflict unfolds, many of these people will probably become refugees, so Bulgaria should be ready for such a development and prepared to offer the best conditions.
"I hope that reason will prevail and the tension will decrease because the most terrible thing that can happen to us, on top of all crises which the world has been experiencing, is a military conflict in the heart of Europe," Iotova said.
She made her comments in Souhindol, Northern Bulgaria, where she took part in an event marking St Tryphon's Day.
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Vassilev,
Energy Minister Nikolov Pay Working Visit to US
Sofia - Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev heads a delegation on a working visit to the United States, the government's information service said. On the delegation are Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov and top officials from the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz.
In Washington, DC, the Bulgarian delegation is to have meetings in the White House, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Energy. The Bulgarian officials are also scheduled to confer with representatives of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and other institutions. On the agenda of the talks are energy diversification, energy efficiency, smart green technologies and climate change.
Talks are also scheduled with business representatives during a meeting organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. More talks will be held with officials from the American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA) and the U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute.
The visit of the Bulgarian delegation will then continue in Pittsburgh, Houston, and Dallas.
Prime Minister Petkov Advises Bulgarians to Leave Ukraine
Sofia - In a televised interview on Monday Prime Minister Kiril Petkov advised Bulgarians who have no urgent business to leave Ukraine. He added that Bulgarian military planes will be sent if necessary.
Petkov said that stopping gas supplies from Russia will be the worst scenario and a heavy blow to Bulgaria because the bulk comes from Russia. The Prime Minister said that there are ways to sustain Bulgaria's energy system if this happens. He said that talks are already underway with the European Commission. In case of a Russian invasion, Bulgaria will halt partially electricty exports so that there is enough electricity for Bulgarian households.
Petkov said that ways to import liquefied natural gas from the US through Nea Mesimvria are explored. The Kozloduy N-plant is stocked with fuel for two years, said the Prime Minister.
Once again Petkov urged Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev to resign.
The Prime Minister said that a list is being made of Bulgarians abroad who have background in anti-corruption, interior affairs and the special services and whom the government will try to recruit to avoid any dependencies.
He said that he doesn't trust Prosecutor General Geshev because of his ties with the people on the list which the Prime Minister gave the prosecution last week. "He had contacts with these people and he went out to clubs with them," said Petkov.
Barcelonagate
The Prime Minister also commented a Spanish investigation into possible money laundering, involving Bulgarian business owners and politicians. The case is widely referred to in Bulgaria as "Barcelonagate". It recently transpired that the Spanish law-enforcers have sent a report with the investigation findings to the Bulgarian Interior Ministry. "No names were mentioned in the report, which I saw, but there were photos of [GERB leader and former Prime Minister] Boyko Borissov. He is not directly incriminated but he is in the report and high-ranking people are involved in this case," said Petkov. He was adamant that the Spanish investigators don't seek to stir up a diplomatic scandal but are merely forwarding information to the Bulgarian prosecution service and expect it to do its job.
The Spanish investigation looked into the purchase of an upscale property and designer clothing store, both of which were used by a Bulgarian model who ran the shop and lived in the house with her daughter. The money for the properties originated from companies that had no obvious business and the origin of their money was suspicious. A 2020 article in the Spanish El Periodico alleged a connection with Boyko Borissov. He has consistently denied having anything to do with the case, as well as allegations that he was involved with the woman, was the likely father of her daughter and had put them up in Barcelona.
Petkov said on bTV that the money for the Barcelona house came from Bulgaria, through Bulgarian politicians, and was generated by money laundering. Now that the report is here, the prosecution service should start working on the case, he said.
The prosecution service has long started work on the matter but said repreatedly they were waiting for materials from abroad.
Borissov: "Declassify the report"
At a news briefing following the Prime Minister's appearance on bTV, Boyko Borissov reiterated that "he has never had and will not have a house or another property in Barcelona". He said taking out the report now was an If-you-can't-give-them-bread-give-them-a-circus strategy of the present power-holders to divert attention from the government's failures in health care, public finances and the energy sector.
He urged the authorities to declassify the Spanish report on Barcelonagate to put an end to the allegations about his involvement.
He thanked the Prime Minister for admitting that there was nothing more in the report about him than a photo.
COVID-19 Update: New Cases Approach 1,540, Test Positivity Rate at 15.29%
Sofia - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 1,036,825 after 10,061 tests identified 1,540 newly infected persons on Sunday, of whom 78.04 per cent are unvaccinated, according to data posted on https://coronavirus.bg/. The test positivity rate now stands at 15.29 per cent.
The active cases are 259,904. Currently, the hospitalized patients number 6,236, including 616 in intensive care. Of the 203 new hospital admissions, 90.64 per cent are not vaccinated.
Another 3,148 COVID patients recovered over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 744,170.
Forty-five fatalities were reported (93.33 per cent of them were not vaccinated), and the death toll now adds up to 34,404.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Confers with Central European Initiative Secretary General
Sofia - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska conferred with the visiting Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), Roberto Antonione, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release here on Monday. The two sides discussed the Bulgarian Presidency of the CEI in 2022.
The meeting focused on the priorities of the CEI Presidency including recovery from the pandemic, enhanced connectivity, improved prospects for young people, among others.
Genchovska and Antonione agreed that CEI's agenda should focus on the role of young people as they benefit the most from regional cooperation and the future of European societies depends on them.
Secretary General Antonione also took part in a coordination meeting with the representatives of Bulgarian institutions responsible for the CEI Presidency, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Irena Dimitrova.
Turkish Captain of Ship That Was Stranded Off Bulgaria's Coast in September 2021, Receives Suspended Sentence
Dobrich, Northeastern Bulgaria - The Turkish captain of the Panamanian-flagged ship Vera Su, which was stranded off the Bulgarian coast in September 2021, received a three-year suspended sentence Monday after the court in the Bulgarian northeastern town of Dobrich approved his settlement with the prosecution service.
The 59-year-old captain, identified only by his initials H. E., will also pay half of the legal costs of 3,600 leva.
The Vera Su was carrying fertilizers when it ran into shalows off the coast of the Kamen Bryag protected area. It was stuck there for 36 days and had to be unloaded in a complex operation to prevent an environmental disaster, before being towed to a port.
H. E. told the court that what happened was all his mistake.
It was established during the investigation that he allowed the operation of the vessel with faulty watchstanding controls. That led to the stranding of the ship and to damage of property.
The second mate of Vera Su, 26-year-old K.A., who was watchstander on the night of the accident, was released on 2,000 leva bail awaiting the submission to court of his indictment.
The prosecution service in the northeastern town of Kavarna has yet to establish what pollution, if any, the accident caused. They are also checking the actions of the competent state institutions and whether those actions were adequate, timely and correct.
Bulgaria Holds Worthy Place on World Wine Map - Agriculture Minister
Vidin, on the Danube - Bulgaria holds a worthy place on the world wine map and is a preferred wine tourism destination, Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Ivanov told journalists on Monday. Ivanov was visiting a 150 ha vineyard by the Danube River on St Tryphon's Day, the festival of vine-growing and wine-making.
He said his trip to that part of the country was a sign that the region has a potential and the government is indebted to it. Investments in the local vine and wine industry show that the region has a future. Last year alone, Vidin Region received 1.7 million leva from State Fund Agriculture under an operational programme. Ivanov pledged that the government will be a good partner to vine-growers and wine-makers.
The 2022 state budget has 111 million leva for anti-COVID measures, part of which will go to the vine and wine sector. Ivanov said the sector has priority status for the Agriculture Ministry.
During his visit, the Minister was accompanied by Vidin MPs Filip Popov, Ivo Atanassov and Peter Milanov, the town mayor and local residents.
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The government should introduce subsidiaries of at least 300 to 350 leva per 0.1 ha for winegrowers, Yordan Chorbadjiiski, the President of the National Vine and Wine Chamber (NVWC) told media at the village of Elenovo (Municipality of Nova Zagora, Southeastern Bulgaria) on Monday. Chorbadjiiski attended a vine pruning ritual dedicated to the day of the patron saint of gardeners and winegrowers, St. Tryphon.
Currently, there are subsidiaries of 15 euro per 0.1 ha but the sector struggles with high electricity prices, the NVWC President said. The prices of fertilizers, bottles, corks and packages have increased as well. This will affect the prices of Bulgarian wines, Chorbadjiiski noted.
According to him, the government should introduce urgent measures to support the wine industry, otherwise there will be bankruptcies. The wine sector may even stage protests if no additional subsidiaries are included in the draft state budget between its first and second reading in Parliament, NVWC President Chorbadjiiski stressed.
Epilepsy Remains Stigmatized, Medicines Are in Short Supply,
Parents and Physicians Complain
Sofia - Epilepsy patients remain stigmatized nowadays and medicines against the disease are in short supply, according to parents of children with epilepsy and physicians active in treating the disorder, who were interviewed in connection with International Epilepsy Day. Seventeen epilepsy medicines have disappeared from the Bulgarian market over the last few years, said Veska Sabeva, President of the Association of Parents of Children with Epilepsy (APCE).
Bulgarian Epilepsy Society (BES) Chair Petya Dimova said there are still big problems related to the accessibility to many medicines. Treatment for autoimmune epilepsy is hindered by its absence from the lists of autoimmune disorders, rare disorders or epilepsies. Patients suffering from autoimmune epilepsy have to pay for their medicines as the costs are not covered by health insurance, Dimova said.
One out of three cases suffers from severe forms of the disease. Unregulated trade in such medicines continues, and in some cases the medicines are life-saving, she said.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova said the challenges are not only medical but also social. International Epilepsy Day provides an occasion to raise public awareness and see how each member of society can help, Penkova added.
She noted that an EU accessibility centre, which is to be built by 2030, will make it possible to hold awareness campaigns at the EU level and will provide better access to buildings, services and social activities for people with epilepsy.
Deputy Health Minister Peter Gribnev asked BES and APCE to send their proposals in writing.
Bulgaria, Armenia Share Experience in Wine Making
as Part of EU4Business Initiative
Yambol, Southern Bulgaria - Bulgaria and Armenia exchange experience in wine making in a project called Winebizz worth 60,000 euros which is funded under the EU4Business Initiative and which aims to promote the bilateral commercial ties in vine growing and wine making. The project was launched by the Yambol Chamber of Commerce and Industry while the partner from Armenia is the Investment Promotion Centre, Yambol Commerce Chamber head Stoicho Stoichev said.
In Stoichev's words, the initiative for the project is underpinned by the fact that Thrace, where Yambol is located, and Armenia are among the oldest areas where wine is produced. Stoichev further said it has proven that vine growing was started in Armenia eight thousand years ago, to spread towards the Black Sea region, then on to Europe and the rest of the world.
A series of bilateral events are to be held under the project in the next 12 months at which wine makers will exchange expertise and marketing and sales practices. Armenian experts will pay visits to Bulgaria, the first one to the traditional Vinaria wine-making exhibition in Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, and the next, in the Yambol region.
President Radev Congratulates German Counterpart Steinmeier on Re-election
Sofia - President Rumen Radev has congratulated his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his re-election, Radev's press secretariat said Monday. The Bulgarian head of State wishes Steinmeier success in his highly responsible mission as head of a country that has long ago affirmed its role on the European and world arena in upholding the democratic principles and in protecting peace and security.
Radev expresses certainty that during his new term in office, Steinmeier will continue to be a decisive leader when it comes both to solving the issues of importance to Germany and Europe and to global matters and international relations. "I believe that amid the changed global environment, our countries will continue, in the spirit of solidarity, to strengthen and develop their strategic partnership," Radev says in his letter to his German counterpart.
African Swine Fever Spreads
in Pernik Region
Pernik, Western Bulgaria - African swine fever has been diagnosed in wild boars in Pernik Region, the regional administration reported on Monday. It quoted Mihail Bozhilov of the Regional Food Safety Directorate as saying at an extraordinary meeting of the local Epizootics Commission that the first three cases were detected at the beginning of the year near Kalotintsi, where the infected boars were eventually culled.
Six dead boars were found near Bosnek. Another three infected animals of that species were discovered by hunters in the region. African swine fever has not been diagnosed in subsistence farms in Pernik Region. "The situation is serious and calls for a serious attitude on the part of farmers to prevent the emergence of hotspots of the disease," Bozhilov said.
Regional Governor Kiril Stoev ordered municipal epizootics commissions to hold extraordinary meetings within two weeks. He asked anyone who notices a dead animal to notify the competent authorities.
Culture Ministers Accepts Resignation of Executive Director,
Five Members of National Fund Culture
Sofia - Culture Minister Atanas Atanasov accepted the resignation of the Executive Director and five management board members of National Fund Culture (NFC), the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Mirena Staneva will continue being NFC's Executive Director until someone else is selected for the position.
During a videoconference meeting initiated by Atanas Atanasov with the Management Board members, the Minister appealed for collective resignation in order to set a new beginning for the work of the fund.
It became clear that Staneva and Management Board member and Chief Assistant in the History Department of Sofia University, Nelly Stoeva, submitted their resignation letters to Atanasov a few hours before the meeting began. Both resignation letters contained well-grounded arguments and were accepted by Atanasov.
The main reason for the request for resignation is the accumulated negatives, which cannot be ignored, the Culture Ministry said in the statement. Atanasov said he sees the voluntary resignation of the NFC's Management Board members as the only honest way to try to restore confidence in the work of the fund.
Following were the resignation letters of Boyan Angelov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Writers' Union, Georgi Kerezov, Finance Ministry representative, Teodora Dacheva, Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria.
Veliko Marinchevski of the National Art Academy, Culture Manager Tsanko Vasilev, who has 20-year experience in the field of contemporary art and culture, and Culture Ministry representative Elena Nikolova declared refusal to resign.
The decisions of Irina Garkova, who has held the positions of spiritual and cultural adviser and secretary of spirituality and culture in the presidential administration, and Silvia Choleva - writer, publisher and journalist, will be sent in writing, the Ministry added.
Bulgarian "Golden Book of Songs" to Go on Display at University of Paris
Sofia - A Bulgarian "Golden Book of Songs" will go on display at the University of Paris. The handmade book featuring excerpts from works by Hristo Botev, Peyo Yavorov, Nikola Vaptsarov, Georgi S. Rakovski and Vassil Levski, among others, was press-launched at BTA on Monday.
The edition was conceived and compiled by Niton publishing house owner Nikolai Tonchev, journalist and historian Ivan Trenev, and economist and sociologist Evgenii Sachev.
The idea was borrowed from an early-20th-century international compilation published on the initiative of the University of Paris, where it is kept nowadays. It presents some of the most famous philosophers, playwrights, writers and poets from all over the world, including Shakespeare, Verlaine, Baudelaire, Tolstoy and Pushkin. Bulgaria's Hristo Botev is among them. The texts are written in gold letters in French and Latin.
The Bulgarian version can be expanded to include other renowned poets and writers.
Mexican National Detained in Sofia
for Murder of MMA Fighter
Haskovo, Southeastern Bulgaria - A Mexican national, 42, has been detained for the murder of 33-year-old MMA fighter and trader of food supplements Turgay Sali, said Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov and Regional Directorate of Interior head Nedan Hadzhiev at a joint briefing here on Monday. The police received an alert about shooting shortly after 1 a.m. on February 13.
The injured Sali died on Monday after being taken to a hospital, Stoyanov specified. The police narrowed the suspects down to the Mexican national, whom they arrested in a hotel in Sofia. He had entered Bulgaria from North Macedonia on February 10, Hadzhiev added.
Stoyanov and Hadzhiev said that contract killing cannot be backed with evidence at this early stage of the investigation.
The suspect has been detained for 72 hours.
Group of 51 Men Believed to Be Illegal Migrants Detained in Central Bulgaria
Sofia - A group of 51 men considered to be illegal migrants were detained on Monday morning near the town of Nova Zagora, Central Bulgaria, the local police department said. The alert about the people which were seen between Nova Zagora and the nearby village of Radnevo, was received at 7 a.m. on Monday.
The people will be taken to the police precinct in Nova Zagora to be asked about their IDs, and will then be taken to a refugee facility.
Average Wage Grows to 1,612 Lv in Q4 of 2021
Sofia - In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage was 1,612 leva, up by 6.1 per cent from the previous quarter, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute.
The average gross monthly wage was 1,581 leva in October, 1,579 leva in November and 1,676 leva in December 2021.
Compared to the last quarter of 2020, wages from the same period in 2021 grew by 14.4 per cent in the public sector and by 11.4 per cent in the private sector.
The highest growth rates were recorded in: 'Human health and social work activities' (15.1 per cent), 'Education' (14.6 per cent), and 'Manufacturing' (7.4 per cent). The highest shrink rates were recorded in 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (3.4 per cent) and in 'Accommodation and food service activities' (0.5 per cent).
In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage grew by 12.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2020, with the largest increase being observed in 'Arts, entertainment and recreation' (23.5 per cent), 'Human health and social work activities' (18.9 per cent), and 'Accommodation and food service activities' (18.8 per cent).
In the last quarter of 2021, the economic activities with the highest average monthly salary were: 'Creation and dissemination of information and creative products; telecommunications' (3,856 leva), 'Production and distribution of electricity and heat and gaseous fuels' (2,383 leva), 'Financial and insurance activities' (2,377 leva).
The lowest paid employees worked in: 'Accommodation and food service activities' (935 leva), 'Other service activities' (1,044 leva), 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (1,122 leva).
At the end of December 2021, the number of employed personnel dropped by 16,200, or by 0,7 per cent compared to the end of September 2021, reaching 2.27 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2021, the most significant decrease in new employees was registered in 'Accommodation and food service activities', by 10.2 per cent.
Environmentalists to Release Back to Nature Seven
Common Buzzards after Rehabilitation
Sofia - Seven common buzzards will be released in the wild after having spent some time at the Rehabilitation Centre of the Green Balkans NGO, Hristina Klisurova of the centre told BTA on Monday.
The staff had treated various conditions, ranging from exhaustion and loss of feathers to such requiring operations.
The birds will be released back to nature near the Kremikovtsi monastery near Sofia on Tuesday, at an event featuring volunteers and donors. The birds will arrive by special transport from the Rehabilitation Centre, located in the southern city of Stara Zagora.
The common buzzard is a protected species.
The Rehabilitation Centre deals with some 2,500 "patients" a year, mainly birds, but also frequently small mammals like squirrels and hedgehogs. It has two specially equipped "animal ambulances".
Bulgarian Figure Skater Feigin:
"My Goal Is to Perform without Mistakes"
BTA special correspondent Dimitar Velyov
Beijing
Bulgarian figure skater Alexandra Feigin Monday told BTA that her goal is to perform without mistakes at the Winter Olympics, which are the first Olympic Games in her career. She arrived in Beijing on February 12 and has been training for Tuesday's Short Program in Women's Singles Skating, where she will perform under number 15.
She said that as of Monday she is training with the figure skaters of Belarus, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. On Sunday she trained with the Russian figure skaters, including Kamila Valieva who has been the subject of many comments over the past days, Feigin said.
"I am impressed by the Olympic ice, which is extremely well-prepared and thus allowed me to do quality trainings yesterday [Sunday] and today [Monday]," she also said. Feigin expressed the hope that she will have recovered fully from her leg trauma by Tuesday.
Romania's Defence in Figures
Vanya Nakova of BTA
Sofia
The rising tension along the Russian-Ukrainian border logically livened movements in some East European NATO members, particularly those sharing a border with Ukraine, Romania included.
"Romania shares over 600 km of border with Ukraine and we must make sure we are prepared for any situation possible. The current security crisis created by Russia is not just about Ukraine, regional security in the Black Sea, or even about European security: it is about the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. That is why at this time it is important for NATO and the EU to display unity and solidarity," President Klaus Iohannis said at the end of January.
A NATO member since 2004, Romania continues to upgrade its armed forces, but the process is slow and one that requires huge investments. As of 2017, the country has undertaken to set aside 2 per cent of GDP for defence, in line with Alliance standards.
As of 2021, the Romanian Armed Forces number 68,500 active personnel and 53,000 reservists. The Land Forces have a reported strength of 35,800, the Air Force 10,700, the Naval Forces 6,600, and Joint Forces 16,500.
Multinational Brigade
Romania has been calling for boosting NATO presence in the Black Sea region for years and these calls became particularly persistent after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. The country also hosts the infantry Multinational Brigade South-East in Craiova.
Missile Defence System
Various officials have said repeatedly that Poland, Romania and Turkey are NATO's eastern security pillars. Poland and Romania are the two East European countries to accept elements of the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system. In Romania, the site in Deveselu was officially switched on in 2016.
Since then, Bucharest has not stopped maintaining it is strictly defensive and is no threat to Russia. The latter, in turn, claims that the Deveselu interceptors can easily be substituted for Tomahawk missiles.
Patriot SAM Systems
In 2020 Romania became the 7th NATO member and 17th country in the world with a Patriot surface-to-air (SAM) system. The first was deployed at the Capu Midia firing range on the Black Sea. In 2022 the country stands to receive new, upgraded Patriot systems.
US Reinforcement Troops
Some 1,000 US troops will be relocated from Germany to Romania in line with the latter's strategic partnership with the United States since 1997 and amid growing concerns involving the Russian-Ukrainian border. France also expressed readiness to send troops.
At the end of January, President Joe Biden announced that some 3,000 US troops would be deployed in Poland, Romania and Germany to support the European allies on the eastern NATO flank. According to the plan, 1,000 of those should arrive in Romania.
Currently, there are over 900 US military in Romania, as well as 140 Italian and 250 Polish service persons.
Plans for More F-16, F-35
Last year Romania announced it is buying another 32 second-hand F-16 jets from Norway. The deal for the 40-year-old jets is worth 454 million euro and includes their upgrade.
Romania currently has 17 F-16s it bought from Portugal, with less sophisticated equipment than the expected arrivals from Norway. In the long term, though, the country aims to be fitted with fifth generation F-35, sometime around 2030.
The Romanian Air Force still has slightly over 20 MiG-21 Lancer jets, DefenseRomania recalls. A hundred of these were upgraded to become compatible with NATO Lancer standards.
Rotational Air Policing
Last week Germany sent military and Eurofighter jets to take part in the NATO air policing missions along with the Italian Air Force.
Italy is participating in four-month air policing missions in Romania with 140 military and four Eurofighters since December 2021.
The air policing is rotational for NATO members, including the RAF from Great Britain, Canada, and others.
Four New Corvettes from France
Romania has been planning to buy four new corvettes from France for some time, but the contract has not been sealed yet.
During his visit to Bucharest in the beginning of February, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France hopes a deal to sell four corvettes to Romania for 1.2 billion euro will be concluded soon.
Currently, Romania has two frigates Type 22 built in Britain and another built in Romania, as well as four corvettes.
What about a submarine?
Romania has not had an operational submarine for nearly 26 years. Delfinul - 'The dolphin' - is a Kilo-class submarine of the Romanian Naval Forces. It was commissioned in August 1985 and is currently the only Romanian submarine in service. Due to a lack of funding the submarine has been inactive since 1995. It is kept in reserve docked in the military sector of the Port of Constanta.
Today's Observances:
February 15
The world:
- Serbian Statehood Day (instituted on July 10, 2001);
- International Day of Children with Cancer.
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1891: The State Gazette promulgates Bulgaria's first trade agreements with France, Germany and Austria.
1945: The Narodna Prosveta publishing house is established, the largest publisher of textbooks in Bulgaria.
1946: The first issue of the "Sturshel" weekly for humour and satire comes out.
1950: Bulgaria's first foreign-language secondary school opens in Lovech (North Central Bulgaria) as a successor to an American all-girls school.
1990: The Green Party, the first political party after the fall of totalitarianism, is registered under the Persons and Family Act.
1994: Diplomatic relations established with Belize.
1997: The Union of Democratic Forces Coalition becomes a political party at its 9th National Conference.
2000: Bulgaria-EU accession negotiations open officially in Brussels.
Weather Forecast
February 15: Cloudy in the morning in Western Bulgaria with isolated light rains. Clouds to clear by noon over the entire territory of the country, giving way to fair weather. Mild southwesterly wind which will push up daytime temperatures. Lows: minus 3C to 2C; Sofia, minus 2C. Highs: 9C to 14C; Sofia, 11C.
The coast: Mostly sunny. Mild southwesterly wind. Highs: 8C to 12C.
The mountains: Cloudy in the morning in the mountains in Western Bulgaria with isolated light snow. Clouds to clear around noon, giving way to sunny weather. Mild to moderate northwesterly wind. Highs: 5C at 1,200 m, minus 2C at 2,000 m.
Source: National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Exchange
-
Rates
Sofia, February 14 (BTA) - The Bulgarian National Bank sets the
rates of foreign currencies against the Bulgarian lev applicable
from 5 p.m. on February 14 to 5 p.m. on February 15, 2022. The
central rates are used for the purposes of accounting,
statistics, customs valuation and remittances. The commercial
banks set the exchange rates at which foreign exchange is bought
and sold.
______________________________________________
CURRENCY SWIFT CODE FOR LEVA
_______________________________________________
Australian Dollar AUD 1 1.22993
Brazilian Real BRL 10 3.31693
Canadian Dollar CAD 1 1.3553
Swiss Franc CHF 1 1.86768
Chinese Yuan Renminbi CNY 10 2.71881
Czech Koruna CZK 100 7.97419
Danish Krone DKK 10 2.62842
British Pound GBP 1 2.33616
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 10 2.21541
Croatian Kuna HRK 10 2.59763
Hungarian Forint HUF 1000 5.47759
Indonesian Rupiah IDR 10000 1.20801
New Israel Shekel ILS 10 5.30971
Indian Rupee INR 100 2.28828
Icelandic Krona ISK 100 1.37155
Japanese Yen JPY 100 1.49757
South Korean Won KRW 1000 1.44395
Mexican Peso MXN 100 8.45468
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 10 4.12448
Norwegian Krone NOK 10 1.94237
New Zealand Dollar NZD 1 1.14296
Philippine Peso PHP 100 3.36551
Polish Zloty PLN 10 4.308
Romanian Leu RON 10 3.95461
Russian Rouble RUB 100 2.26506
Swedish Krona SEK 10 1.84238
Singaporean Dollar SGD 1 1.28276
Thai Baht THB 100 5.31476
Turkish Lira TRY 10 1.27407
US Dollar USD 1 1.72838
South African Rand ZAR 10 1.14169
Gold price (per troy ounce) XAU 1 3225.75
Advisory
to BTA's External Service
Subscribers
Sofia, February 15 (BTA) - Following are some of the main
stories to be moved by BTA's External News Service on Tuesday,
February 15:
-- President Rumen Radev is convening a sitting of the
Consultative Council on National Security at 2 p.m. to discuss
risks and threats to the national security of Bulgaria, the
state of the Armed Forces, and necessary measures.
-- At the initiative of the Ministry of Transport and
Communications, a discussion on the development of the Port of
Varna has begun about the improvement of the port infrastructure
as a factor for the development of the Varna region. The
meeting will take place in the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in
Varna.
MT
Press
-
Review
ECONOMY
Monitor publishes data from a global survey by Advanced
Workplace Associates (AWA), according to which only 3 per cent
of employees want to return to the office for a standard
five-day work week. People's way of life has changed since the
outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The imposition of
restrictive measures sent employees to work from home, students
to online training, and trade went almost entirely online.
However, now that vaccination is advancing in most countries and
health experts say the pandemic is over, it's time to get back
to business. Most schools are already holding classes, and the
shops on the main shopping streets are regaining their lustre.
However, the issue of returning to work in the office is
different. During the peak of the pandemic, research showed that
in fact, employee productivity has not fallen, even though they
work from home. The data shows a stronger commitment and focus
on work, and employees say that the time saved commuting to the
office is the most valuable gain. According to an AWA survey of
nearly 10,000 people around the world in various fields,
including finance, technology, and energy, as many as 86 per
cent want to stay away from work at least two days a week.
Almost the same number say that if they had the opportunity to
choose, they would remain permanently in remote mode. Workers
are willing to travel to the company's building in the middle of
the week, which is explained by their desire for long weekends
in resorts. Employers must listen to the wishes of their
employees, the article says. According to AWA, many financial
and technology companies are already implementing a hybrid work
model, thus entering the future, which will help them have happy
workers.
24 Chasa dedicates two pages to salaries in Bulgaria, based on
data from the National Statistical Institute. According to the
article, this country's power holders, as well as the members of
parliament, receive record high salaries for Bulgaria. The
daily lists the monthly salaries of MPs (5,616 leva, which is a
six-fold increase compared to 2000), the Prime Minister (8,704)
and the President (11,232), which puts them at the top, together
with only a few other fields such as Information Technologies
where the monthly wage has now surpassed the 4,000 leva mark.
Trud also covers the topic in depth.
Trud publishes an article about residential properties in
Bulgaria, according to which their price will continue to rise.
2021 ended with about 10 per cent increase in prices and 30-50
per cent increase in the volume of transactions. Data from a
real estate company show an increase in inquiries from Bulgarian
buyers by 30 per cent compared to the previous year, and from
foreign buyers - by about 25 per cent. This speaks of strong
demand, which will continue in 2022, so experts expect house
prices to continue to rise and not begin to fall for at least
another five years. An additional factor for the growth of
prices is bank financing. Interest rates on loans continue to
decline, and new loans are growing at a record rate. Important
positive factors for the real estate market are rising incomes
and low unemployment, the daily says.
POLITICS
Monitor writes that the government will take the necessary
actions and support the expansion of the Sofia subway. According
to the Council of Ministers, the development of the project is
extremely important for the residents and guests of the capital.
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov had a meeting with the mayor of
Slatina region Georgi Iliev, where they discussed the new six
metro stations. Some 405 million leva in funding will be
provided by Sofia Municipality, and the rest will be co-financed
from the state budget in the next four years, the article says.
The project has dropped out of the National Recovery and
Resilience Plan because it is not likely to be completed by
2026. It became clear from the meeting that the construction of
a city railway in Sofia and Plovdiv is planned with funds from
the European Union. Telegraf also covers the topic.
Telegraf leads with a story about driving licenses. According to
a check by the daily, young drivers are often given licenses
without a single hour of driving at night. According to the
current rules, driving learners must gain experience in driving
in the dark, on off-road routes, in straight sections and in
bends, and when climbing and descending a slope, in order to be
able to take a driving test. After a signal from driver training
specialists that young drivers in Bulgaria receive licenses
without basic knowledge of driving, the Minister of Education
has issued an order to update driving test requirements, which
must be agreed with the Minister of Transport. The idea is for
an electronic system to track driving hours and generate
indisputable evidence that a lesson has indeed taken place.
Monitor publishes a short article, citing Eurostat data on
municipal waste in the European Union. According to statistics,
Bulgaria is first among seven countries in the EU, which in 2020
generated less household waste per capita than in 1995. The
reduction of household waste generated in Bulgaria from 2005 to
2020 reached 24.5 per cent. Although the EU generates more
waste, the total amount of landfilled waste is declining. In
2020, the total volume will fall by 58 per cent in 25 years,
which corresponds to an annual decline of about 4 percent,
according to Eurostat.
MT
END
/ТЕ/
TE0107DN.001 06:40
Daily News - Sofia, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, No.38
Sofia, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, No.38
Biggest Risk to Bulgaria's Security Is Neglecting Problems
Plaguing Its Armed Forces - President Radev
Soungourlare, Southern Bulgaria - Speaking to reporters here on Monday, President Rumen Radev said that the biggest risk to this country's security is neglecting the problems plaguing the armed forces. The armed forces shall not be remembered only in times of crises and catastrophes, Radev said.
Approached to comment Tuesday's meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) convened by Radev to consider national security risks and threats and the state of the armed forces, the President said that "attention should be paid at all times and at the highest state level to the combat worthiness of the Bulgarian armed forces". He said that precisely these issues will be discussed at the CCNS meeting on Tuesday.
Asked whether Bulgaria should accept the deployment of additional US forces if so proposed by the United States, Radev said that "as it is well known, Bulgaria is part of the efforts for de-escalation, and part of the efforts for strengthening NATO's Eastern flank". Radev also said that a joint air policing mission of the Bulgarian air space with NATO allies has started. In Radev's words, "Bulgaria is open to all allies for participation of their units to contribute in filling up a deficit of capabilities in the Bulgarian land forces".
Approached by reporters whether a full-scale war is to be expected in Ukraine and what Bulgaria's position should be in such a scenario, Radev said that such a development will be averted. "You see, negotiations are being held at the highest political level daily. There is no military solution to this crisis. Anyone who thinks that the crisis will be solved through military means is wrong. The only way to find a sustainable solution is through negotiations and diplomacy," Radev said.
In Soungourlare, the head of State took part in events for the holiday of the municipality marked on February 14 which is celebrated as the day of vine growers and wine makers in Bulgaria as it is the day of their patron saint, Tryphon. Soungourlare is an area with strong vine-growing and wine-making traditions.
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Vice President Iliana Iotova said, speaking to reporters, that guarantees are needed for the Bulgarian communities in Ukraine as they constitute the biggest Bulgarian historical diaspora.
In Iotova's words, if a real conflict unfolds, many of these people will probably become refugees, so Bulgaria should be ready for such a development and prepared to offer the best conditions.
"I hope that reason will prevail and the tension will decrease because the most terrible thing that can happen to us, on top of all crises which the world has been experiencing, is a military conflict in the heart of Europe," Iotova said.
She made her comments in Souhindol, Northern Bulgaria, where she took part in an event marking St Tryphon's Day.
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Vassilev,
Energy Minister Nikolov Pay Working Visit to US
Sofia - Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev heads a delegation on a working visit to the United States, the government's information service said. On the delegation are Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov and top officials from the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz.
In Washington, DC, the Bulgarian delegation is to have meetings in the White House, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Energy. The Bulgarian officials are also scheduled to confer with representatives of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and other institutions. On the agenda of the talks are energy diversification, energy efficiency, smart green technologies and climate change.
Talks are also scheduled with business representatives during a meeting organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. More talks will be held with officials from the American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA) and the U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute.
The visit of the Bulgarian delegation will then continue in Pittsburgh, Houston, and Dallas.
Prime Minister Petkov Advises Bulgarians to Leave Ukraine
Sofia - In a televised interview on Monday Prime Minister Kiril Petkov advised Bulgarians who have no urgent business to leave Ukraine. He added that Bulgarian military planes will be sent if necessary.
Petkov said that stopping gas supplies from Russia will be the worst scenario and a heavy blow to Bulgaria because the bulk comes from Russia. The Prime Minister said that there are ways to sustain Bulgaria's energy system if this happens. He said that talks are already underway with the European Commission. In case of a Russian invasion, Bulgaria will halt partially electricty exports so that there is enough electricity for Bulgarian households.
Petkov said that ways to import liquefied natural gas from the US through Nea Mesimvria are explored. The Kozloduy N-plant is stocked with fuel for two years, said the Prime Minister.
Once again Petkov urged Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev to resign.
The Prime Minister said that a list is being made of Bulgarians abroad who have background in anti-corruption, interior affairs and the special services and whom the government will try to recruit to avoid any dependencies.
He said that he doesn't trust Prosecutor General Geshev because of his ties with the people on the list which the Prime Minister gave the prosecution last week. "He had contacts with these people and he went out to clubs with them," said Petkov.
Barcelonagate
The Prime Minister also commented a Spanish investigation into possible money laundering, involving Bulgarian business owners and politicians. The case is widely referred to in Bulgaria as "Barcelonagate". It recently transpired that the Spanish law-enforcers have sent a report with the investigation findings to the Bulgarian Interior Ministry. "No names were mentioned in the report, which I saw, but there were photos of [GERB leader and former Prime Minister] Boyko Borissov. He is not directly incriminated but he is in the report and high-ranking people are involved in this case," said Petkov. He was adamant that the Spanish investigators don't seek to stir up a diplomatic scandal but are merely forwarding information to the Bulgarian prosecution service and expect it to do its job.
The Spanish investigation looked into the purchase of an upscale property and designer clothing store, both of which were used by a Bulgarian model who ran the shop and lived in the house with her daughter. The money for the properties originated from companies that had no obvious business and the origin of their money was suspicious. A 2020 article in the Spanish El Periodico alleged a connection with Boyko Borissov. He has consistently denied having anything to do with the case, as well as allegations that he was involved with the woman, was the likely father of her daughter and had put them up in Barcelona.
Petkov said on bTV that the money for the Barcelona house came from Bulgaria, through Bulgarian politicians, and was generated by money laundering. Now that the report is here, the prosecution service should start working on the case, he said.
The prosecution service has long started work on the matter but said repreatedly they were waiting for materials from abroad.
Borissov: "Declassify the report"
At a news briefing following the Prime Minister's appearance on bTV, Boyko Borissov reiterated that "he has never had and will not have a house or another property in Barcelona". He said taking out the report now was an If-you-can't-give-them-bread-give-them-a-circus strategy of the present power-holders to divert attention from the government's failures in health care, public finances and the energy sector.
He urged the authorities to declassify the Spanish report on Barcelonagate to put an end to the allegations about his involvement.
He thanked the Prime Minister for admitting that there was nothing more in the report about him than a photo.
COVID-19 Update: New Cases Approach 1,540, Test Positivity Rate at 15.29%
Sofia - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 1,036,825 after 10,061 tests identified 1,540 newly infected persons on Sunday, of whom 78.04 per cent are unvaccinated, according to data posted on https://coronavirus.bg/. The test positivity rate now stands at 15.29 per cent.
The active cases are 259,904. Currently, the hospitalized patients number 6,236, including 616 in intensive care. Of the 203 new hospital admissions, 90.64 per cent are not vaccinated.
Another 3,148 COVID patients recovered over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 744,170.
Forty-five fatalities were reported (93.33 per cent of them were not vaccinated), and the death toll now adds up to 34,404.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Confers with Central European Initiative Secretary General
Sofia - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska conferred with the visiting Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI), Roberto Antonione, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release here on Monday. The two sides discussed the Bulgarian Presidency of the CEI in 2022.
The meeting focused on the priorities of the CEI Presidency including recovery from the pandemic, enhanced connectivity, improved prospects for young people, among others.
Genchovska and Antonione agreed that CEI's agenda should focus on the role of young people as they benefit the most from regional cooperation and the future of European societies depends on them.
Secretary General Antonione also took part in a coordination meeting with the representatives of Bulgarian institutions responsible for the CEI Presidency, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Irena Dimitrova.
Turkish Captain of Ship That Was Stranded Off Bulgaria's Coast in September 2021, Receives Suspended Sentence
Dobrich, Northeastern Bulgaria - The Turkish captain of the Panamanian-flagged ship Vera Su, which was stranded off the Bulgarian coast in September 2021, received a three-year suspended sentence Monday after the court in the Bulgarian northeastern town of Dobrich approved his settlement with the prosecution service.
The 59-year-old captain, identified only by his initials H. E., will also pay half of the legal costs of 3,600 leva.
The Vera Su was carrying fertilizers when it ran into shalows off the coast of the Kamen Bryag protected area. It was stuck there for 36 days and had to be unloaded in a complex operation to prevent an environmental disaster, before being towed to a port.
H. E. told the court that what happened was all his mistake.
It was established during the investigation that he allowed the operation of the vessel with faulty watchstanding controls. That led to the stranding of the ship and to damage of property.
The second mate of Vera Su, 26-year-old K.A., who was watchstander on the night of the accident, was released on 2,000 leva bail awaiting the submission to court of his indictment.
The prosecution service in the northeastern town of Kavarna has yet to establish what pollution, if any, the accident caused. They are also checking the actions of the competent state institutions and whether those actions were adequate, timely and correct.
Bulgaria Holds Worthy Place on World Wine Map - Agriculture Minister
Vidin, on the Danube - Bulgaria holds a worthy place on the world wine map and is a preferred wine tourism destination, Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Ivanov told journalists on Monday. Ivanov was visiting a 150 ha vineyard by the Danube River on St Tryphon's Day, the festival of vine-growing and wine-making.
He said his trip to that part of the country was a sign that the region has a potential and the government is indebted to it. Investments in the local vine and wine industry show that the region has a future. Last year alone, Vidin Region received 1.7 million leva from State Fund Agriculture under an operational programme. Ivanov pledged that the government will be a good partner to vine-growers and wine-makers.
The 2022 state budget has 111 million leva for anti-COVID measures, part of which will go to the vine and wine sector. Ivanov said the sector has priority status for the Agriculture Ministry.
During his visit, the Minister was accompanied by Vidin MPs Filip Popov, Ivo Atanassov and Peter Milanov, the town mayor and local residents.
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The government should introduce subsidiaries of at least 300 to 350 leva per 0.1 ha for winegrowers, Yordan Chorbadjiiski, the President of the National Vine and Wine Chamber (NVWC) told media at the village of Elenovo (Municipality of Nova Zagora, Southeastern Bulgaria) on Monday. Chorbadjiiski attended a vine pruning ritual dedicated to the day of the patron saint of gardeners and winegrowers, St. Tryphon.
Currently, there are subsidiaries of 15 euro per 0.1 ha but the sector struggles with high electricity prices, the NVWC President said. The prices of fertilizers, bottles, corks and packages have increased as well. This will affect the prices of Bulgarian wines, Chorbadjiiski noted.
According to him, the government should introduce urgent measures to support the wine industry, otherwise there will be bankruptcies. The wine sector may even stage protests if no additional subsidiaries are included in the draft state budget between its first and second reading in Parliament, NVWC President Chorbadjiiski stressed.
Epilepsy Remains Stigmatized, Medicines Are in Short Supply,
Parents and Physicians Complain
Sofia - Epilepsy patients remain stigmatized nowadays and medicines against the disease are in short supply, according to parents of children with epilepsy and physicians active in treating the disorder, who were interviewed in connection with International Epilepsy Day. Seventeen epilepsy medicines have disappeared from the Bulgarian market over the last few years, said Veska Sabeva, President of the Association of Parents of Children with Epilepsy (APCE).
Bulgarian Epilepsy Society (BES) Chair Petya Dimova said there are still big problems related to the accessibility to many medicines. Treatment for autoimmune epilepsy is hindered by its absence from the lists of autoimmune disorders, rare disorders or epilepsies. Patients suffering from autoimmune epilepsy have to pay for their medicines as the costs are not covered by health insurance, Dimova said.
One out of three cases suffers from severe forms of the disease. Unregulated trade in such medicines continues, and in some cases the medicines are life-saving, she said.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova said the challenges are not only medical but also social. International Epilepsy Day provides an occasion to raise public awareness and see how each member of society can help, Penkova added.
She noted that an EU accessibility centre, which is to be built by 2030, will make it possible to hold awareness campaigns at the EU level and will provide better access to buildings, services and social activities for people with epilepsy.
Deputy Health Minister Peter Gribnev asked BES and APCE to send their proposals in writing.
Bulgaria, Armenia Share Experience in Wine Making
as Part of EU4Business Initiative
Yambol, Southern Bulgaria - Bulgaria and Armenia exchange experience in wine making in a project called Winebizz worth 60,000 euros which is funded under the EU4Business Initiative and which aims to promote the bilateral commercial ties in vine growing and wine making. The project was launched by the Yambol Chamber of Commerce and Industry while the partner from Armenia is the Investment Promotion Centre, Yambol Commerce Chamber head Stoicho Stoichev said.
In Stoichev's words, the initiative for the project is underpinned by the fact that Thrace, where Yambol is located, and Armenia are among the oldest areas where wine is produced. Stoichev further said it has proven that vine growing was started in Armenia eight thousand years ago, to spread towards the Black Sea region, then on to Europe and the rest of the world.
A series of bilateral events are to be held under the project in the next 12 months at which wine makers will exchange expertise and marketing and sales practices. Armenian experts will pay visits to Bulgaria, the first one to the traditional Vinaria wine-making exhibition in Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, and the next, in the Yambol region.
President Radev Congratulates German Counterpart Steinmeier on Re-election
Sofia - President Rumen Radev has congratulated his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his re-election, Radev's press secretariat said Monday. The Bulgarian head of State wishes Steinmeier success in his highly responsible mission as head of a country that has long ago affirmed its role on the European and world arena in upholding the democratic principles and in protecting peace and security.
Radev expresses certainty that during his new term in office, Steinmeier will continue to be a decisive leader when it comes both to solving the issues of importance to Germany and Europe and to global matters and international relations. "I believe that amid the changed global environment, our countries will continue, in the spirit of solidarity, to strengthen and develop their strategic partnership," Radev says in his letter to his German counterpart.
African Swine Fever Spreads
in Pernik Region
Pernik, Western Bulgaria - African swine fever has been diagnosed in wild boars in Pernik Region, the regional administration reported on Monday. It quoted Mihail Bozhilov of the Regional Food Safety Directorate as saying at an extraordinary meeting of the local Epizootics Commission that the first three cases were detected at the beginning of the year near Kalotintsi, where the infected boars were eventually culled.
Six dead boars were found near Bosnek. Another three infected animals of that species were discovered by hunters in the region. African swine fever has not been diagnosed in subsistence farms in Pernik Region. "The situation is serious and calls for a serious attitude on the part of farmers to prevent the emergence of hotspots of the disease," Bozhilov said.
Regional Governor Kiril Stoev ordered municipal epizootics commissions to hold extraordinary meetings within two weeks. He asked anyone who notices a dead animal to notify the competent authorities.
Culture Ministers Accepts Resignation of Executive Director,
Five Members of National Fund Culture
Sofia - Culture Minister Atanas Atanasov accepted the resignation of the Executive Director and five management board members of National Fund Culture (NFC), the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Mirena Staneva will continue being NFC's Executive Director until someone else is selected for the position.
During a videoconference meeting initiated by Atanas Atanasov with the Management Board members, the Minister appealed for collective resignation in order to set a new beginning for the work of the fund.
It became clear that Staneva and Management Board member and Chief Assistant in the History Department of Sofia University, Nelly Stoeva, submitted their resignation letters to Atanasov a few hours before the meeting began. Both resignation letters contained well-grounded arguments and were accepted by Atanasov.
The main reason for the request for resignation is the accumulated negatives, which cannot be ignored, the Culture Ministry said in the statement. Atanasov said he sees the voluntary resignation of the NFC's Management Board members as the only honest way to try to restore confidence in the work of the fund.
Following were the resignation letters of Boyan Angelov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Writers' Union, Georgi Kerezov, Finance Ministry representative, Teodora Dacheva, Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria.
Veliko Marinchevski of the National Art Academy, Culture Manager Tsanko Vasilev, who has 20-year experience in the field of contemporary art and culture, and Culture Ministry representative Elena Nikolova declared refusal to resign.
The decisions of Irina Garkova, who has held the positions of spiritual and cultural adviser and secretary of spirituality and culture in the presidential administration, and Silvia Choleva - writer, publisher and journalist, will be sent in writing, the Ministry added.
Bulgarian "Golden Book of Songs" to Go on Display at University of Paris
Sofia - A Bulgarian "Golden Book of Songs" will go on display at the University of Paris. The handmade book featuring excerpts from works by Hristo Botev, Peyo Yavorov, Nikola Vaptsarov, Georgi S. Rakovski and Vassil Levski, among others, was press-launched at BTA on Monday.
The edition was conceived and compiled by Niton publishing house owner Nikolai Tonchev, journalist and historian Ivan Trenev, and economist and sociologist Evgenii Sachev.
The idea was borrowed from an early-20th-century international compilation published on the initiative of the University of Paris, where it is kept nowadays. It presents some of the most famous philosophers, playwrights, writers and poets from all over the world, including Shakespeare, Verlaine, Baudelaire, Tolstoy and Pushkin. Bulgaria's Hristo Botev is among them. The texts are written in gold letters in French and Latin.
The Bulgarian version can be expanded to include other renowned poets and writers.
Mexican National Detained in Sofia
for Murder of MMA Fighter
Haskovo, Southeastern Bulgaria - A Mexican national, 42, has been detained for the murder of 33-year-old MMA fighter and trader of food supplements Turgay Sali, said Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov and Regional Directorate of Interior head Nedan Hadzhiev at a joint briefing here on Monday. The police received an alert about shooting shortly after 1 a.m. on February 13.
The injured Sali died on Monday after being taken to a hospital, Stoyanov specified. The police narrowed the suspects down to the Mexican national, whom they arrested in a hotel in Sofia. He had entered Bulgaria from North Macedonia on February 10, Hadzhiev added.
Stoyanov and Hadzhiev said that contract killing cannot be backed with evidence at this early stage of the investigation.
The suspect has been detained for 72 hours.
Group of 51 Men Believed to Be Illegal Migrants Detained in Central Bulgaria
Sofia - A group of 51 men considered to be illegal migrants were detained on Monday morning near the town of Nova Zagora, Central Bulgaria, the local police department said. The alert about the people which were seen between Nova Zagora and the nearby village of Radnevo, was received at 7 a.m. on Monday.
The people will be taken to the police precinct in Nova Zagora to be asked about their IDs, and will then be taken to a refugee facility.
Average Wage Grows to 1,612 Lv in Q4 of 2021
Sofia - In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage was 1,612 leva, up by 6.1 per cent from the previous quarter, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute.
The average gross monthly wage was 1,581 leva in October, 1,579 leva in November and 1,676 leva in December 2021.
Compared to the last quarter of 2020, wages from the same period in 2021 grew by 14.4 per cent in the public sector and by 11.4 per cent in the private sector.
The highest growth rates were recorded in: 'Human health and social work activities' (15.1 per cent), 'Education' (14.6 per cent), and 'Manufacturing' (7.4 per cent). The highest shrink rates were recorded in 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (3.4 per cent) and in 'Accommodation and food service activities' (0.5 per cent).
In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage grew by 12.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2020, with the largest increase being observed in 'Arts, entertainment and recreation' (23.5 per cent), 'Human health and social work activities' (18.9 per cent), and 'Accommodation and food service activities' (18.8 per cent).
In the last quarter of 2021, the economic activities with the highest average monthly salary were: 'Creation and dissemination of information and creative products; telecommunications' (3,856 leva), 'Production and distribution of electricity and heat and gaseous fuels' (2,383 leva), 'Financial and insurance activities' (2,377 leva).
The lowest paid employees worked in: 'Accommodation and food service activities' (935 leva), 'Other service activities' (1,044 leva), 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (1,122 leva).
At the end of December 2021, the number of employed personnel dropped by 16,200, or by 0,7 per cent compared to the end of September 2021, reaching 2.27 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2021, the most significant decrease in new employees was registered in 'Accommodation and food service activities', by 10.2 per cent.
Environmentalists to Release Back to Nature Seven
Common Buzzards after Rehabilitation
Sofia - Seven common buzzards will be released in the wild after having spent some time at the Rehabilitation Centre of the Green Balkans NGO, Hristina Klisurova of the centre told BTA on Monday.
The staff had treated various conditions, ranging from exhaustion and loss of feathers to such requiring operations.
The birds will be released back to nature near the Kremikovtsi monastery near Sofia on Tuesday, at an event featuring volunteers and donors. The birds will arrive by special transport from the Rehabilitation Centre, located in the southern city of Stara Zagora.
The common buzzard is a protected species.
The Rehabilitation Centre deals with some 2,500 "patients" a year, mainly birds, but also frequently small mammals like squirrels and hedgehogs. It has two specially equipped "animal ambulances".
Bulgarian Figure Skater Feigin:
"My Goal Is to Perform without Mistakes"
BTA special correspondent Dimitar Velyov
Beijing
Bulgarian figure skater Alexandra Feigin Monday told BTA that her goal is to perform without mistakes at the Winter Olympics, which are the first Olympic Games in her career. She arrived in Beijing on February 12 and has been training for Tuesday's Short Program in Women's Singles Skating, where she will perform under number 15.
She said that as of Monday she is training with the figure skaters of Belarus, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. On Sunday she trained with the Russian figure skaters, including Kamila Valieva who has been the subject of many comments over the past days, Feigin said.
"I am impressed by the Olympic ice, which is extremely well-prepared and thus allowed me to do quality trainings yesterday [Sunday] and today [Monday]," she also said. Feigin expressed the hope that she will have recovered fully from her leg trauma by Tuesday.
Romania's Defence in Figures
Vanya Nakova of BTA
Sofia
The rising tension along the Russian-Ukrainian border logically livened movements in some East European NATO members, particularly those sharing a border with Ukraine, Romania included.
"Romania shares over 600 km of border with Ukraine and we must make sure we are prepared for any situation possible. The current security crisis created by Russia is not just about Ukraine, regional security in the Black Sea, or even about European security: it is about the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. That is why at this time it is important for NATO and the EU to display unity and solidarity," President Klaus Iohannis said at the end of January.
A NATO member since 2004, Romania continues to upgrade its armed forces, but the process is slow and one that requires huge investments. As of 2017, the country has undertaken to set aside 2 per cent of GDP for defence, in line with Alliance standards.
As of 2021, the Romanian Armed Forces number 68,500 active personnel and 53,000 reservists. The Land Forces have a reported strength of 35,800, the Air Force 10,700, the Naval Forces 6,600, and Joint Forces 16,500.
Multinational Brigade
Romania has been calling for boosting NATO presence in the Black Sea region for years and these calls became particularly persistent after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. The country also hosts the infantry Multinational Brigade South-East in Craiova.
Missile Defence System
Various officials have said repeatedly that Poland, Romania and Turkey are NATO's eastern security pillars. Poland and Romania are the two East European countries to accept elements of the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system. In Romania, the site in Deveselu was officially switched on in 2016.
Since then, Bucharest has not stopped maintaining it is strictly defensive and is no threat to Russia. The latter, in turn, claims that the Deveselu interceptors can easily be substituted for Tomahawk missiles.
Patriot SAM Systems
In 2020 Romania became the 7th NATO member and 17th country in the world with a Patriot surface-to-air (SAM) system. The first was deployed at the Capu Midia firing range on the Black Sea. In 2022 the country stands to receive new, upgraded Patriot systems.
US Reinforcement Troops
Some 1,000 US troops will be relocated from Germany to Romania in line with the latter's strategic partnership with the United States since 1997 and amid growing concerns involving the Russian-Ukrainian border. France also expressed readiness to send troops.
At the end of January, President Joe Biden announced that some 3,000 US troops would be deployed in Poland, Romania and Germany to support the European allies on the eastern NATO flank. According to the plan, 1,000 of those should arrive in Romania.
Currently, there are over 900 US military in Romania, as well as 140 Italian and 250 Polish service persons.
Plans for More F-16, F-35
Last year Romania announced it is buying another 32 second-hand F-16 jets from Norway. The deal for the 40-year-old jets is worth 454 million euro and includes their upgrade.
Romania currently has 17 F-16s it bought from Portugal, with less sophisticated equipment than the expected arrivals from Norway. In the long term, though, the country aims to be fitted with fifth generation F-35, sometime around 2030.
The Romanian Air Force still has slightly over 20 MiG-21 Lancer jets, DefenseRomania recalls. A hundred of these were upgraded to become compatible with NATO Lancer standards.
Rotational Air Policing
Last week Germany sent military and Eurofighter jets to take part in the NATO air policing missions along with the Italian Air Force.
Italy is participating in four-month air policing missions in Romania with 140 military and four Eurofighters since December 2021.
The air policing is rotational for NATO members, including the RAF from Great Britain, Canada, and others.
Four New Corvettes from France
Romania has been planning to buy four new corvettes from France for some time, but the contract has not been sealed yet.
During his visit to Bucharest in the beginning of February, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France hopes a deal to sell four corvettes to Romania for 1.2 billion euro will be concluded soon.
Currently, Romania has two frigates Type 22 built in Britain and another built in Romania, as well as four corvettes.
What about a submarine?
Romania has not had an operational submarine for nearly 26 years. Delfinul - 'The dolphin' - is a Kilo-class submarine of the Romanian Naval Forces. It was commissioned in August 1985 and is currently the only Romanian submarine in service. Due to a lack of funding the submarine has been inactive since 1995. It is kept in reserve docked in the military sector of the Port of Constanta.
Today's Observances:
February 15
The world:
- Serbian Statehood Day (instituted on July 10, 2001);
- International Day of Children with Cancer.
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1891: The State Gazette promulgates Bulgaria's first trade agreements with France, Germany and Austria.
1945: The Narodna Prosveta publishing house is established, the largest publisher of textbooks in Bulgaria.
1946: The first issue of the "Sturshel" weekly for humour and satire comes out.
1950: Bulgaria's first foreign-language secondary school opens in Lovech (North Central Bulgaria) as a successor to an American all-girls school.
1990: The Green Party, the first political party after the fall of totalitarianism, is registered under the Persons and Family Act.
1994: Diplomatic relations established with Belize.
1997: The Union of Democratic Forces Coalition becomes a political party at its 9th National Conference.
2000: Bulgaria-EU accession negotiations open officially in Brussels.
Weather Forecast
February 15: Cloudy in the morning in Western Bulgaria with isolated light rains. Clouds to clear by noon over the entire territory of the country, giving way to fair weather. Mild southwesterly wind which will push up daytime temperatures. Lows: minus 3C to 2C; Sofia, minus 2C. Highs: 9C to 14C; Sofia, 11C.
The coast: Mostly sunny. Mild southwesterly wind. Highs: 8C to 12C.
The mountains: Cloudy in the morning in the mountains in Western Bulgaria with isolated light snow. Clouds to clear around noon, giving way to sunny weather. Mild to moderate northwesterly wind. Highs: 5C at 1,200 m, minus 2C at 2,000 m.
Source: National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Exchange
-
Rates
Sofia, February 14 (BTA) - The Bulgarian National Bank sets the
rates of foreign currencies against the Bulgarian lev applicable
from 5 p.m. on February 14 to 5 p.m. on February 15, 2022. The
central rates are used for the purposes of accounting,
statistics, customs valuation and remittances. The commercial
banks set the exchange rates at which foreign exchange is bought
and sold.
______________________________________________
CURRENCY SWIFT CODE FOR LEVA
_______________________________________________
Australian Dollar AUD 1 1.22993
Brazilian Real BRL 10 3.31693
Canadian Dollar CAD 1 1.3553
Swiss Franc CHF 1 1.86768
Chinese Yuan Renminbi CNY 10 2.71881
Czech Koruna CZK 100 7.97419
Danish Krone DKK 10 2.62842
British Pound GBP 1 2.33616
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 10 2.21541
Croatian Kuna HRK 10 2.59763
Hungarian Forint HUF 1000 5.47759
Indonesian Rupiah IDR 10000 1.20801
New Israel Shekel ILS 10 5.30971
Indian Rupee INR 100 2.28828
Icelandic Krona ISK 100 1.37155
Japanese Yen JPY 100 1.49757
South Korean Won KRW 1000 1.44395
Mexican Peso MXN 100 8.45468
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 10 4.12448
Norwegian Krone NOK 10 1.94237
New Zealand Dollar NZD 1 1.14296
Philippine Peso PHP 100 3.36551
Polish Zloty PLN 10 4.308
Romanian Leu RON 10 3.95461
Russian Rouble RUB 100 2.26506
Swedish Krona SEK 10 1.84238
Singaporean Dollar SGD 1 1.28276
Thai Baht THB 100 5.31476
Turkish Lira TRY 10 1.27407
US Dollar USD 1 1.72838
South African Rand ZAR 10 1.14169
Gold price (per troy ounce) XAU 1 3225.75
Advisory
to BTA's External Service
Subscribers
Sofia, February 15 (BTA) - Following are some of the main
stories to be moved by BTA's External News Service on Tuesday,
February 15:
-- President Rumen Radev is convening a sitting of the
Consultative Council on National Security at 2 p.m. to discuss
risks and threats to the national security of Bulgaria, the
state of the Armed Forces, and necessary measures.
-- At the initiative of the Ministry of Transport and
Communications, a discussion on the development of the Port of
Varna has begun about the improvement of the port infrastructure
as a factor for the development of the Varna region. The
meeting will take place in the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in
Varna.
MT
Press
-
Review
ECONOMY
Monitor publishes data from a global survey by Advanced
Workplace Associates (AWA), according to which only 3 per cent
of employees want to return to the office for a standard
five-day work week. People's way of life has changed since the
outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The imposition of
restrictive measures sent employees to work from home, students
to online training, and trade went almost entirely online.
However, now that vaccination is advancing in most countries and
health experts say the pandemic is over, it's time to get back
to business. Most schools are already holding classes, and the
shops on the main shopping streets are regaining their lustre.
However, the issue of returning to work in the office is
different. During the peak of the pandemic, research showed that
in fact, employee productivity has not fallen, even though they
work from home. The data shows a stronger commitment and focus
on work, and employees say that the time saved commuting to the
office is the most valuable gain. According to an AWA survey of
nearly 10,000 people around the world in various fields,
including finance, technology, and energy, as many as 86 per
cent want to stay away from work at least two days a week.
Almost the same number say that if they had the opportunity to
choose, they would remain permanently in remote mode. Workers
are willing to travel to the company's building in the middle of
the week, which is explained by their desire for long weekends
in resorts. Employers must listen to the wishes of their
employees, the article says. According to AWA, many financial
and technology companies are already implementing a hybrid work
model, thus entering the future, which will help them have happy
workers.
24 Chasa dedicates two pages to salaries in Bulgaria, based on
data from the National Statistical Institute. According to the
article, this country's power holders, as well as the members of
parliament, receive record high salaries for Bulgaria. The
daily lists the monthly salaries of MPs (5,616 leva, which is a
six-fold increase compared to 2000), the Prime Minister (8,704)
and the President (11,232), which puts them at the top, together
with only a few other fields such as Information Technologies
where the monthly wage has now surpassed the 4,000 leva mark.
Trud also covers the topic in depth.
Trud publishes an article about residential properties in
Bulgaria, according to which their price will continue to rise.
2021 ended with about 10 per cent increase in prices and 30-50
per cent increase in the volume of transactions. Data from a
real estate company show an increase in inquiries from Bulgarian
buyers by 30 per cent compared to the previous year, and from
foreign buyers - by about 25 per cent. This speaks of strong
demand, which will continue in 2022, so experts expect house
prices to continue to rise and not begin to fall for at least
another five years. An additional factor for the growth of
prices is bank financing. Interest rates on loans continue to
decline, and new loans are growing at a record rate. Important
positive factors for the real estate market are rising incomes
and low unemployment, the daily says.
POLITICS
Monitor writes that the government will take the necessary
actions and support the expansion of the Sofia subway. According
to the Council of Ministers, the development of the project is
extremely important for the residents and guests of the capital.
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov had a meeting with the mayor of
Slatina region Georgi Iliev, where they discussed the new six
metro stations. Some 405 million leva in funding will be
provided by Sofia Municipality, and the rest will be co-financed
from the state budget in the next four years, the article says.
The project has dropped out of the National Recovery and
Resilience Plan because it is not likely to be completed by
2026. It became clear from the meeting that the construction of
a city railway in Sofia and Plovdiv is planned with funds from
the European Union. Telegraf also covers the topic.
Telegraf leads with a story about driving licenses. According to
a check by the daily, young drivers are often given licenses
without a single hour of driving at night. According to the
current rules, driving learners must gain experience in driving
in the dark, on off-road routes, in straight sections and in
bends, and when climbing and descending a slope, in order to be
able to take a driving test. After a signal from driver training
specialists that young drivers in Bulgaria receive licenses
without basic knowledge of driving, the Minister of Education
has issued an order to update driving test requirements, which
must be agreed with the Minister of Transport. The idea is for
an electronic system to track driving hours and generate
indisputable evidence that a lesson has indeed taken place.
Monitor publishes a short article, citing Eurostat data on
municipal waste in the European Union. According to statistics,
Bulgaria is first among seven countries in the EU, which in 2020
generated less household waste per capita than in 1995. The
reduction of household waste generated in Bulgaria from 2005 to
2020 reached 24.5 per cent. Although the EU generates more
waste, the total amount of landfilled waste is declining. In
2020, the total volume will fall by 58 per cent in 25 years,
which corresponds to an annual decline of about 4 percent,
according to Eurostat.
MT
END
/ТЕ/
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