site.btaToday's Observances: June 15-16

June 15

The world:

- World Day to Combat Violence against the Elderly

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1963: Diplomatic relations established with Kuwait.

1965: Diplomatic relations established with Pakistan.

1976: Diplomatic relations established with Madagascar.

2004: The EU membership negotiations with Bulgaria come to an end as all 31 negotiation chapters are closed.

2006: The National Assembly ratifies a Bulgaria-EU agreement establishing a framework for the country's participation in the bloc's crisis management operations.

2006: The Council of Ministers names the German-Bulgarian consortium Fraport Twin Star Airport Management as the winning candidate for a concession contract for the airports of Burgas and Varna.

2006: The National Assembly ratifies the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court, signed by Bulgaria in New York on May 2, 2003.

June 16

The world:

International Day of the African Child.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1890: Major Konstantin Panitsa is executed after being sentenced to death by a military court for organizing an assassination plot against Prince Ferdinand I and Prime Minister Stefan Stambolov.

1913: By order of King Ferdinand I, Bulgaria declares war on Serbia and Greece. Second Balkan War breaks out between Bulgaria and its former allies Serbia, Greece and Montenegro.

1962: Diplomatic relations are established with Tanzania (Tanganyika until 1964).

1993: Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act is passed.

1994: Bulgarian National Bank licenses Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria as the first foreign bank to carry out banking business in Bulgaria.

2006: China's SVA Group opens in Veliko Tarnovo its first operation in Europe, which is the first Chinese investment in Bulgaria.