Bulgaria’s economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the third quarter of the year, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said in a flash estimate on November 13. In real terms, gross domestic product (GDP) in Bulgaria in July-September was 35.51 billion euro.

Year-on-year, the economic growth in the third quarter was 2.5 per cent. NSI is due to announce preliminary growth figures for the quarter on December 4.

The flash estimate’s seasonally-adjusted data showed domestic consumption increase by 1.4 per cent during the third quarter, and it was 6.3 per cent higher on an annual basis. Gross fixed capital formation shrank by 0.8 per cent in July-September, and was 0.5 per cent lower compared to the third quarter of 2025.

Exports fell by four per cent compared to the second quarter of the year, and were 5.5 per cent lower compared to the third quarter of last year, while imports shrank by 4.8 per cent on a quarterly basis and were down one per cent year-on-year.

The country recorded a trade surplus of 357.2 million euro in the third quarter, the equivalent of one per cent of GDP, NSI said.

(Photo: Steve Ford/sxc.hu)

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Bulgarian skies will be guarded on a rotational basis by MiG-29s and F-16 fighter jets in 2027, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told a November 13 news conference about the defence budget for next year.

Stoyanov did not explain what is meant by rotation, but he said that in 2027, F-16s will only be on duty during the day because they are not certified and prepared for night flights.

He made it clear that the military will continue to rely on the nearly 40-year-old Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets, without it being clear how many of them are still operational, where spare parts will be obtained, and where they will be repaired and tested for safety.

At the same time, Stoyanov spoke of problems surrounding the use of the new US-made F-16 fighter jets. Bulgaria has already acquired eight of them and is waiting for another eight, which will probably arrive in Bulgaria in 2029, a delay from the initial schedule.

The first eight F-16s will also be modified. For example, they must be equipped with the new AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic warfare suite.

This is a mandatory electronic warfare package because it is related to the survival of the F-16 against modern radars and electronic threats. Stoyanov said that the US had given an assurance that the Viper Shield systems would be delivered and installed in 2027.

In addition, according to Stoyanov, the already trained Bulgarian pilots are prepared for air-to-air mode, not air-to-ground, that is, they cannot hit ground targets. 

The repair of the engines, as well as the repair of maintenance units for the MiG-29 aircraft , is to be ensured.

“There is no way we can continue to fulfill our functional obligations, including our obligations to Nato structures, without the MiG-29 aircraft,” Stoyanov said.

There are also two new projects included in the new budget. They are related to the maintenance of the F-16. One is specifically for the maintenance of the F-16, and the second project is for the acquisition of additional missile armament for the aircraft.

As to when the F-16s can do duty fulltime, Stoyanov said that this could happen when the Viper Shield systems are received. But he added that the necessary pilots must also be available.

The draft budget of the Defence Ministry for 2027 envisages expenditures amounting to 2.23 per cent of gross domestic product.

The total planned finance for defence spending amounts to 3.151 billion euro, which is an increase of 17 per cent compared with 2026.

“The largest increase is in capital expenditures – from 868 million euro this year to over 1.223 billion euro next year,” Stoyanov said. This represents 40.83 per cent of the ministry’s budget budget.

“This is a budget for accelerated modernisation. With Nato’s requirement for a share of capital expenditures above 20 per cent, we exceed 40 per cent,” he said.

Stoyanov said that Bulgaria is working on many projects, both under the SAFE loan mechanism and from the Bulgarian budget.

This includes the acquisition of seven new three-coordinate (3D) radars , a coastal anti-ship missile system from the United States , French Caesar self-propelled artillery systems (SAU), German Iris ground-based air defence systems, 155 mm shells, vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems, drones.

The budget envisages purchasing six firefighting aircraft.

“We are working on the implementation of a project to acquire up to six firefighting aircraft. If the procedure passes without appeals, there is a possibility that the first two will be delivered by the end of 2027, after which the procedure for their absorption will begin,” Stoyanov said.

Stoyanov said that new projects will also be launched with national funds, including modernisation of the avionics of the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and maintenance of the MiG-29.

It is also planned to acquire new small arms, unmanned aerial systems and space-based platforms; for reconnaissance and surveillance of land and sea targets, strike and FPV drones.

Personnel costs are maintained, with an additional four million euro to compensate for the increase in the minimum wage.

Military personnel will welcome the new year with frozen salaries, due to the freezing for the second time of the automatic increase tied to the average salary. ” If we increase salaries, we have to cut capital expenditures , ” Dimitar Stoyanov said recently.

To fill the shortage in the Bulgarian military, a target of 27.5 million euros from the central budget has been earmarked for the appointment of new military personnel.

At the same time, the resources saved from the dismissal of over 400 employees in the Ministry’s administration this year are being redirected to positions in the military formations.

Stoyanov hopes to recruit at least 1000 new military personnel in 2027, but he made it clear that he is not very optimistic.

The military itself admits that in some units there is even a 25 per cent shortage of personnel, with the situation being the worst in the army.

The Defence Ministry has tried to patch things up with initiatives such as “Be a Soldier” and with changes in the law to introduce so-called voluntary service, but in practice there has been little positive result and the personnel gap remains.

(Archive photo of Bulgarian Air Force Mig-29s, a Spartan and F-16s: Defence Ministry)

In statements on November 13, opposition parties slammed Bulgarian Prime Minister Roumen Radev over Bulgaria’s position to support “with reservations” France’s initiative on key principles of European security, presented in Dublin.

While some media reports said that Bulgaria was alone among EU countries in not signing the declaration, the website of the President of France showed Bulgaria among the signatories, and the Bulgarian government information service said that the country had supported it, with reservations about the preamble.

Daniel Mitov, an MP for Boiko Borissov’s opposition coalition GERB-UDF and a former foreign minister, said that Bulgaria continues to pursue an unclear foreign policy.

“It was not clear again what he (Radev) signed, what he did not sign and with what reservations,” Mitov said.

“We have Schrödinger’s foreign policy again – we are both there and not there. They never explained what these reservations are,” he said.

“Obviously, Prime Minister Radev is not talking to Bulgarian citizens through such explanations. He is talking to his masters in the Kremlin and giving them a signal that he is actually defending their interests in European formats,” Mitov said.

Borissov said: “Did we sign the declaration or didn’t we? I didn’t understand! German media says we didn’t, the Elysee Palace says we did”.

Ivailo Mirchev, co-leader of opposition coalition Democratic Bulgaria, said: “This is yet another ‘hybrid’ position from Bulgaria—we have joined, yet we haven’t joined”.

“Mr. Radev is clearly afraid of Russia. We ought to treat our partners as a true ally would,” Mirchev said.

Radev, speaking on November 13, said that Bulgaria supported the declaration with reservations only regarding the preamble.

“And we support the declaration in its working part, where we have clearly expressed principles for joint efforts to counter organized crime, terrorism, hybrid attacks, the production and distribution of drugs, and countering illegal immigration,” Radev said.

“But we also take into account that negotiations are currently underway, finally at a high diplomatic level, for a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine. It is here that we think that the language of common European documents should reflect the dynamics of these political processes, especially when it comes to negotiations,” he said.

“That is why we also expressed reservations about the preamble of the declaration, so that these formulations correspond to these dynamics. So that we can have a broader scope of dialogue and not exclude peaceful solutions in their entirety.”

Radev said that in the earlier versions, there was a formulation about the importance of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi “and that we should support them, then that disappeared, dropped out”.

“We insist on having such a text, to take it into account and not to narrow the field for dialogue and the options for finding a solution. We supported this declaration with reservations only in the preamble. What we have reservations about – these are the formulations in light of the negotiations that have already begun. This is an adopted document by Bulgaria and we welcome it, my reservations to the preamble are recorded.”

Regarding Bulgaria’s position on a new EU loan for Ukraine, Radev said: “Our position is clear – we support all efforts for peace”.

“I do not accept the imposition of the position for peace from a position of force, because we saw a year and a half ago, when I stated it, that this will only lead to more victims, more destruction and an even greater escalation of the conflict, which is already a risk not only for Europe, but for the entire world,” he said .

“We must take into account that Bulgaria, unlike other EU member states, is the country with the largest historical community in Ukraine. And we are deeply concerned by the fact that Bulgarians continue to die in this war every day,” Radev said.

“And that is why we want peace to be restored as quickly as possible. The task of our government is to help our compatriots in Ukraine live in peace as soon as possible, but also to have access to education, healthcare, electricity, and heating during this transitional period. And this will not be solved by investing in military means.”

Radev again referred to Bulgaria being in an excessive deficit procedure, as he has before when speaking about assistance for Ukraine.

“We are in an excessive deficit procedure. We have problems with the reserves in the state. And we have no way in this situation to provide financial resources, but in no case do we hinder the decisions of other member states,” he said.

“Whoever decides to help and invest financial resources in whatever they decide. So we are not blocking anyone in this situation,” Radev said.

“We are ready to talk about mechanisms that will guarantee that these funds will not go to weapons, but to humanitarian activities, to support with electricity, to medical activities, and this is very important for us – we want to see mechanisms that will target these funds, if we invest such as a guarantor, to go specifically to our community. It is compactly expressed in several regions of Ukraine,” he said.

(Photo: government.bg)

A war of words lasting days has followed action by Bulgaria’s consumer protection body against retail chains in Bulgaria, with the row inevitably also attracting political comments.

As The Sofia Globe reported on November 9, Bulgaria’s Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) said that it had fined supermarket chain Kaufland Bulgaria 75.7 million euro, citing “unfair trade practices towards Bulgarian food producers”.

The regulator announced three violations against suppliers: pressure to reduce delivery prices, unfair deduction of fees for services, and unjustified delay in price increase negotiations. The decision is subject to appeal in court.

The chain rejects the accusations, claims that the total added value they generate for the state is almost 14 billion euro and it is preparing for a legal battle.

Mihail Petrov, CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria: “And if Kaufland goes on a bobsled ride down, then the bankruptcy of Corpbank will seem like a spring breeze to them. Kaufland has a lot of loans, a lot of suppliers, it has 8,800 employees and stop practicing on it. I can’t wait to go to court and turn the CPC’s act into dust”.

The retail chain’s director’s warnings about a possible outflow of investments prompted a sharp response from Economy Minister Alexander Pulev, who described Petrov’s tone as arrogant and said that the government would not give in to such warnings.

“We are not at war with retail chains, we are at war with unfair trade practices,” Pulev said.

The FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market is quite profitable, quite liquid, even if there is an outflow in the market position of a chain, this vacuum will be filled literally within a few weeks by their competitors,” he said.

“Before threatening the Bulgarian state, let this gentleman open the statistics and look at the fact that literally the latest data for this year show a 100 per cent growth in foreign direct investment in the country, so I am calm, I have no reason for any concern about this type of arrogance,” Pulev said.

On Facebook, Prime Minister Roumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria ruling party said: “No matter how big you are, you are not above the law.

“When he (Petov) makes an analogy with CorpBank, the Kaufland manager confuses the law with lawlessness,” Progressive Bulgaria said.

“No one is stronger than the state when it applies the law to protect the rights of its citizens. Such declarations only confirm the correctness of the control bodies. Instead of arguments, we hear threats,” the ruling party said.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) also expressed serious concern about the public statements by the management of Kaufland Bulgaria .

CITUB said that it does dispute the company’s right to defend its interests through legal means, but it is unacceptable for the jobs and fate of employees to be used as an argument to exert pressure on state institutions.

“Every company has the right to defend its interests in court. At the same time, CITUB considers it unacceptable for the jobs and fate of workers to be used as an argument for putting pressure on state institutions in connection with the exercise of their legal powers,” the trade union organisation said.

Ivailo Mirchev, an MP for opposition coalition Democratic Bulgaria, said that Petrov’s statement was arrogant and unacceptable.

Instead of scaring with catastrophic scenarios, the management of Kaufland should think about whether it has always been fair to Bulgarian producers over the years and whether it has had unacceptable commercial practices, Mirchev said.

Milena Dragiyska, chief executive of Lidl Bulgaria – a Lidl shop in Vidin was shut down temporarily earlier this week by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency over alleged violations – described to the media how the pressure was affecting the daily work in the shops.

Dragiyska said there have been cases where seven, eight or nine inspectors have arrived at employees who are on their own shift.

She alleged that inspectors had apologised to staff, explaining that they were ordered to find grounds for a sanction.

“Actually, the big question is what is the goal? That is not clear to us,” Dragiyska said.

She warned that the consequences of this pressure could affect thousands of jobs and Bulgarian producers who rely on the chains for the sale of their goods. According to her, Lidl alone works with over 300 Bulgarian producers, and the volume of joint work is growing.

Dragiyska insisted that the conversation with the state focus on irrigation, labour, financing and the competitiveness of Bulgarian production.

Bulgarian food producers and processors have said that state pressure on large retail chains is also threatening their own production.

Zhivka Grozdeva from the Association of Fruit Growers in Bulgaria believes that the voice of producers who have been working successfully with the chains for years remains silenced in the public conversation.

At a conference of the Association for Modern Trade – an association of which most major retailers in Bulgaria are members – Grozdeva said that large retailers provide a market for significant quantities of Bulgarian fruits and vegetables.

” Without them, part of the production would remain unsold or even unpicked ,” said Grozdeva, who is also a fruit producer.

She said that no one is obliged to work with chains if they prefer another option.

Asked to comment on the average markups on Bulgarian fruit, she estimated that they amount to about 10 per cent-15 per cent, unlike small shops, where, according to her, it reaches 50 per cent.

Grozdeva described the relationship with the chains as a direct negotiation process: the manufacturer sends an offer, the retailer responds, and both parties specify the terms and deliveries.

According to her, the main obstacles to Bulgarian production lie elsewhere – in insecure access to water for irrigation, as irrigation systems cover 1/7 of the country’s territory, the shortage of workers, and the growing administrative burden.

“They increase costs and make it difficult to compete with producers from other countries,” Grozdeva said.

“I see a partner in the large chains,” Vladislav Mihaylov from the National Association of Dairy Processors said during the Association for Modern Trade conference.

Mihaylov described the pressure on foreign chains in recent weeks as an “undeclared war”.

“Nobody wins from any war. Neither the state nor the consumers. We, the producers, are between a rock and a hard place,” Mihaylov said.

Nikolai Vulkavnov, executive director of the Association of Modern Trade, said: “Progress is not measured solely by the price of cheese in the shop”.

He said that constant changes in rules, unpredictable enforcement and huge sanctions could lead to investments being frozen or withdrawn, with consequences for jobs and incomes.

“There will be no new jobs, existing ones may be cut, salaries may fall,” Vulkanov said.

On November 13, GERB leader Boiko Borissov sharply criticised Kaufland Bulgaria’s Petrov’s statement.

Borissov described Petrov’s words as absolutely unacceptable: “They will certainly fire him and all this has to happen, because no one will like such a statement, no one will allow it”.

The GERB leader said that he was wondering whether the government wanted to take Bulgaria back to the time of the communist-era state-owned shops.

Borissov said that he suspects that those close to the government are interested in the properties of Kaufland and other large retail chains.

“I guess because communists never do anything for their own sake, and the best properties in big cities are in these chains,” Borissov said.

In my opinion, one of Radev’s oligarchs has looked around in the chains and now they will do everything possible to expel them. They are worth chasing, I emphasise, with such behaviour, but they do nothing for their own sake,” he said.

(Photo: Bartosz Wacawski/ freeimages.com)

Bulgaria has supported with reservations the French initiative on key principles of European security, presented at the Ninth Summit of the European Political Community in Dublin, the government government information service said on November 13.

Radev expressed written reservations to the preamble of the declaration, requesting that the political messages be adapted to the current stage of the peace negotiations in Ukraine, the statement said.

The statement followed media reports that Bulgaria was alone among European Union member states to not have signed the declaration.

Bulgaria supports the achievement of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine through negotiations, the new round of talks in Abu Dhabi with the mediation of the United States is an important step in this direction, according to the statement.

“European positions must support this process, and the language of the common documents must reflect the dynamics of the processes and expectations from the peace negotiations,” it said.

The preamble of the document speaks of “the unprovoked full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine and the growing threats to the stability of Europe”.

It also says that the signatories “reaffirm their firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”.

They emphasise that Russia’s hybrid campaigns and attempts to undermine support for Ukraine will only strengthen their commitment to Ukraine and their resolve.

The signatories recall that the path to peace in Ukraine must be decided together with Ukraine and that any issue affecting European security must be resolved together with Europeans.

It is emphasised that Ukraine’s security is an integral part of Euro-Atlantic security and that the future development of European strategic stability will be conditioned by the end of the war in Ukraine.

This is the full text of the declaration, as posted on the website of the President of France:

Committed to peace and upholding international law, and in the face of unprovoked full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine and growing threats to Europe stability, the signatory states, gathered for the 9th Summit of the European Political Community in Dublin on the 12th of November 2026, consider strengthening European security and defending their security interests as their common objective.

The signatory states reiterate their firm support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders

They underline the necessity to provide robust and credible security guarantees to Ukraine and reiterate, for those concerned, their intention to do so, in order to prevent the recurrence of aggression in Europe in the future.

They underline that Russia’s hybrid campaigns and attempts to undermine support to Ukraine will only strengthen their commitment to Ukraine and their resolve.

The signatory states recall that the path to peace in Ukraine should be decided with Ukraine and that any matter affecting European security should be decided with the Europeans.

They consider that the following key principles of European security can contribute to provide a path to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, which will be of utmost importance for stability in Europe

They emphasize that Ukraine’s security is an integral part of Euro-Atlantic security and that future developments in European strategic stability will be conditional upon the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.

I. General Principles

The signatory states reaffirm the following general principles related to European security :

1. International law and the Charter of the United Nations are the cornerstone of this Declaration. In addition, the signatory states reaffirm the rules and principles upon which European security is and must remain founded, notably where applicable to the relevant signatory states, the North Atlantic Treaty (1949), the Statute of the Council of Europe (1949), the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (1950, 1957, 1986, 1992 and sq.), the Helsinki Final Act (1975), the Charter of Paris for a New Europe (1990), the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1992), and the Istanbul Charter for Security in Europe (1999). Common objectives contained in this Declaration are rooted in these fundamental documents and the signatories which are parties to them aim to ensure their effective implementation 
2. In this regard, the signatory states underline the importance of the following principles, which form the foundations of peace and stability on the European continent : respect for the sovereign equality of states and the rights inherent in sovereignty, such as the territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders, non-interference in domestic affairs, and the right of states to freely determine their relations with other states, and to choose whether or not to participate in treaties, alliances, or international organizations ; the refraining from the threat of or the use of force, including irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercion, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law and good neighbourly relations ; the right to individual or collective self-defence in the event of an armed attack ; and the respect for the international law, including the international law of the sea as reflected by UNCLOS.
3. The signatory states recognise that European states bear a primary responsibility and are assuming greater responsibility for the security of Europe, which will also contribute positively to global and transatlantic security. 
4. The signatory states reaffirm their commitment to human rights, and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind, including on the grounds of race, sex, language, or religion, including in the digital realm, as well as the right of all nations to freely determine their political status, in accordance with international law. Democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect of the humanitarian international law are essential elements of comprehensive security and contribute to resilient societies capable of resisting both internal and external pressures. Enhanced participatory democracy, transparency and enabling civic space, including media freedom and freedom of expression, are indispensable safeguards of democratic resilience and long-term security. 
5. International law also applies to the global commons we share. Free, safe, autonomous and unhindered access to these spaces must be ensured within the limits of international law, in the air, on the seas, in outer space and in cyberspace.
6. This declaration and the associated common objectives are in line with international mechanisms and the missions of existing multilateral organizations and forums in Europe (NATO, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe). 
7. Signatories who are members of NATO reaffirm that NATO is the foundation of their collective security and that the Alliance remains the cornerstone of their collective defence. They recall their ironclad commitment to collective defence under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. They reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the transatlantic bond and to the Euro-Atlantic security. They recall their determination to build a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO, working together with the United States and Canada which continue to play an essential role in NATO and assuming greater responsibilities for the Alliance’s collective defence. 
8. Signatories who are members of the European Union reaffirm their commitment to a stronger and more capable European Union that is better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats with a 360° approach, while recognizing the challenge and threats on the Eastern Flank. Enlargement of the European Union, anchored in a merit-based process and as a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity, also contributes – together with the European Neighbourhood Policy – to the security of the continent.
9. In this global context, the security of the continent depends on strengthening both national and collective defence capabilities in the appropriate forums to address threats with a 360° approach, with the aim of deterring any aggressive actions and being able to defend against them. It also relies on strengthening the resilience and robustness of our democracies, as well as human rights and rule of law.
10. International cooperation, to complement and deepen European and transatlantic frameworks, should always be pursued with a 360° approach. Diversifying partnerships with countries that are committed to upholding the principles of international law and the UN Charter, and that offer balanced and mutually beneficial relationships under the principle of good neighbourly relationships contributes to security and stability in Europe and to address shared challenges and advance common interests. 

II. Common objectives

With the aim of strengthening security in Europe, the signatory states support the following common objectives in accordance with their respective international commitments and constitutional laws : 

1. Security – the signatory states will uphold security, peace and stability in Europe in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and their respective international commitments, including through bilateral agreements between them and for the states concerned by further strengthening the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union, which are cornerstones for our security.
2. National security and Defence efforts – in accordance with their respective international commitments, security and defence policies and constitutional obligations, the signatory states reaffirm their commitments to strengthening their capabilities in order to respond to their legitimate security needs, enhance their security and ensure the defence of Europe. To this end, and according to their respective commitments, they will make the most effective use of their resources and continue to develop cooperation among themselves and with relevant organizations, as each of them deems appropriate.
3. Collective resilience – in the face of destabilizing actions conducted below the threshold of armed attack, including through cyber and hybrid activities and coercion, and the expansion of conflict into new areas, the signatory states will work in order to develop the tools necessary to prevent, deter and respond to these challenges, to strengthen the protection of their critical infrastructure, to enhance their resilience, and to cooperate on a voluntary basis to improve the detection and attribution of these attacks, with the aim of discouraging the threats and providing a coordinated response and holding to account those responsible.
4. Risk management and reduction– the signatory states support discussions on further risk management and reduction mechanisms that contribute to stability in Europe, once the conditions are met and peace is restored in Europe. This could address particular risks, be it military or coming from actions conducted below the threshold of armed aggression, aiming at ensuring the stability of the entire continent. 
5. Operational Planning – the signatory states will continue to strengthen their collective working practices and their joint operational capabilities for the defence and security of Europe, notably through NATO for those being members of it, as well through other cooperation mechanisms and inclusive coalitions.
6. Industrial cooperation – the concerned signatory states will continue to strengthen their defence industrial production capacity and cooperation across Europe to develop resilient, secure and more independent supply chains and infrastructure for their defence equipment, without prejudice to cooperation with trusted partners. They will promote, as appropriate, cooperation projects between all European actors and foster a competitive European defence equipment market across Europe. They will actively work to create the necessary conditions to mobilize private capital, and support the growth of European defence companies
7. Strategic Dialogues – the signatory states will continue deepening their exchanges and dialogues on strategic issues related to European security, complementing and benefiting from existing collective security frameworks for those participating in them and bilateral arrangements. 
8. Democratic integrity – Human rights, rule of law and democratic systems, upon which European societies are fundamentally based, and must be protected and strengthened, to ensure their integrity and resilience in the face of growing deliberate campaigns aimed at undermining those values, including Foreign Information Manipulation and Interferences (FIMI). The signatory states will continue to promote solidarity, cooperation, and the use of the necessary mechanisms and institutions to achieve this goal. 
9. Fight against terrorism – the signatory states reaffirm their commitments in the fight against terrorism. In this framework, they condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state-sponsored terrorism in the strongest possible terms and will continue their cooperation to respond collectively to this threat, in accordance with international law.  
10. Response to illicit drug and human-trafficking and migrant-smuggling as well as organised crime networks in Europe – the signatory states reaffirm that illicit drug and human-trafficking as well as organized crimes networks are a major threat to the security, safety and health of the citizens in Europe. They remain committed to fighting illicit drug and human-trafficking and organised crime networks in accordance with international law with the strongest determination and to safeguard the integrity of European societies. 
11. Security of supply – the signatory states will continue to work towards the reduction of their dependencies as well as regarding supply chains for critical components or materials. By diversifying and setting up new trade partnerships, they will enable Europe to better respond to the challenges it faces. 
12. Protection of global commons – the signatory states will contribute to the protection and security of global commons, ensuring, within the limits of international law, safe, autonomous and unhindered access to these areas, and taking greater responsibility when European interests are involved. In accordance with international law, the protection of freedom of navigation on international waterways, in particular, requires upholding the high seas as a space of freedom, cooperation, and law. These same principles apply, as appropriate, to other shared global commons. 
13. Contribution of Europe to Global food security – building on the principles of protecting global commons, the signatory states reaffirm the necessity of the freedom of navigation and of the safety of commercial shipping, notably in the Black Sea, and that the uninterrupted functioning of all maritime routes is essential for global food security. 

The above is without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy and interests of the signatory states, and their respective constitutional laws and international commitments.

The Signatory States : 

Republic of Albania, Principality of Andorra, Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Belgium, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Kingdom of Denmark, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Finland, French Republic, Georgia, Federal Republic of Germany, Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Republic of Iceland, Ireland, Italian Republic, Republic of Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Republic of Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Republic of Moldova, Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of North Macedonia, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Poland, Portuguese Republic, Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(Photo of Radev in Dublin: government.bg)

From November 15 to March 1, motor vehicles in Bulgaria must by law be fitted with tyres suitable for winter conditions.

According to the law, approved by Bulgaria’s Parliament in 2016, cars must have tyres designed for winter conditions or that have a tread depth of no less than or equal to four millimetres, the Interior Ministry said.

The Road Traffic Act allows the use of all-season or even summer tyres if they meet the grip requirement, but experts strongly recommend winter tyres for better safety in cold weather.

The traditional Interior Ministry “Winter” campaign, which aims to increase drivers’ attention to preparing their cars for the upcoming winter season, started on November 1.

(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

Bulgaria’s national meteorological bureau has issued the Code Orange warning of dangerous weather for several districts for November 13 because of forecast strong winds.

The districts subject to the Code Orange warning are Montana, Vratsa, Dobrich, Varna, Bourgas, Shoumen, Yambol, Stara Zagora and Haskovo.

All the remaining districts, with two exceptions, are subject to the lesser Code Yellow warning of potentially dangerous weather, also because of forecast strong winds.

The exceptions are the districts of Blagoevgrad and Smolyan, which are classified Code Green for November 13, meaning that no weather warning is in place.

In Bulgaria on November 13, minimum temperatures will be between 11° and 16° Celsius, in the Sofia region, about 12°.

There will be variable cloudiness on Friday. In the evening, from the northwest, the cloudiness will increase and thicken, and rain will begin.

It will be warm for the period with maximum temperatures between 20° and 25° Celsius, in places subject to southerly winds up to 27°-28°, and in Sofia, about 21°.

In the mountains, light rain will fall in places. A strong, stormy wind will blow from the west-southwest on the highlands and northern slopes. The maximum temperature at an altitude of 1200 metres will be about 14°, at 2000 metres, about 9°.

Over the Black Sea coast, the cloudiness will be variable. In the morning, mainly along the southern coast, there will be low layered clouds and reduced visibility. There will be a strong to stormy southwest wind. Maximum temperatures will be 21°-23°, the meteorological bureau said.

Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved on November 11 proposed amendments to the Gambling Act that, if approved by Parliament, will see a complete ban on the advertising of gambling games.

“The aim is to strengthen the prevention of the development or deepening of addiction, as well as to have a positive impact on the most vulnerable groups of people,” the government information service said.

A limited presence of trademarks of organisers of gambling would be allowed only in sponsorships of sports clubs, federations, associations and organisations, as well as in support of activities in the fields of culture, healthcare and education, the statement said.

The amendments propose that the activities of affiliate operators be suspended. This ensures consistency between the ban on advertising gambling games and the regime applicable to persons who promote them.

A one-time state fee is introduced for maintaining a licence for organising the activities of production, distribution and service of gaming equipment and import, distribution and service of gaming equipment.

A five-year licence would cost 50 000 euro and a 10-year licence would cost 100 000 euro.

The alternative tax under the Corporate Income Tax Act (CITA) for land-based casinos and gaming halls is increasing in 2027. From 2028, this tax will be eliminated from the CITA and will be replaced by a two-component state tax provided for in the Gambling Act.

A minimum of 100 000 euro per month will be the variable part of the two-component state fee for issuing and maintaining an online betting licence.

The amendments are also related to an increase in the one-time fees for maintaining a licence to organise gambling games, the amount of contributions for socially responsible behaviour, and fines and property sanctions.

Activities are also planned to expand the prevention of gambling addiction among individuals in the education system, including through the implementation of information campaigns, preventive programmes and the development of appropriate teaching materials, the government information service said.

The amendments introduce a new requirement, that a foreign legal entity organising online betting must have a place of business in Bulgaria.

“This creates an additional mechanism for tracking financial flows, helping to detect discrepancies between the declared activity, the amount of bets, the paid out winnings, the income and expenses, and the corporate tax due,” the statement said.

A mandatory cash contribution is also introduced for payment institutions, banks and electronic money companies that carry out payment transactions related to participation in gambling games and the payment of winnings.

The bill also proposes a complete ban on cash payments between construction companies, contractors and subcontractors under contracts, construction activities, supplies of materials and provision of services.

It is envisaged that payments will be made by bank transfer or through other traceable electronic payment instruments.

“The measure will contribute to limiting the shadow economy, increasing financial discipline and creating a level playing field for construction companies that comply with the legislation,” the statement said.

(Photo: Daniel Alther/ freeimages.com)

In a resolution adopted on November 13, members of the European Parliament said that perpetrators responsible for the deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children during the war must be held to account.

Strongly condemning Russia’s systematic deportation, forcible transfer, illegal adoption, forced Russification, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children during the war, the text – adopted by 536 votes in favour, eight against and 37 abstentions – demands the immediate cessation of these practices and reiterates Russia’s full responsibility for respecting the rights of children under its control.

MEPs are calling on Russia to immediately, safely and unconditionally return all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children back from Russian-controlled territory to unoccupied Ukraine.

They are insisting that the return of children is an obligation under international law and must never be used as a bargaining instrument or made conditional upon territorial concessions, prisoner exchanges, or other political agreements.

According to the resolution, as of September 2026, a total of 20 651 cases of the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia have been verified, whereas approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children are estimated to remain under Russian occupation.

It also states that, as of October 28 2026, a total of 2752 Ukrainian children deported, forcibly transported or rescued from Russian-occupied territories have so far been returned.

MEPs firmly insist that the safe and unconditional return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children constitutes not only an urgent humanitarian necessity but also remains a centrepiece of international efforts to establish accountability for Russian crimes committed during the war.

It must, they argue, be a central priority in all diplomatic initiatives and negotiations concerning any genuine peace agreement ending Russia’s war of aggression.

MEPs emphasise that no lasting peace can disregard the rights of these children or the accountability of those responsible for violating their rights.

The European Parliament also calls on EU member states to strengthen their practical cooperation with Ukraine, international partners, and organisations to accelerate the identification, documentation, tracing and return of all missing and deported Ukrainian children, as well as to further expand existing EU sanctions against officials and entities identified as being responsible for child deportations.

The European Parliament reiterated its full support for the International Criminal Court, the court’s unhindered activity, and its arrest warrants issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Children’s Rights Commissioner for the President of Russia, for the war crime of the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.

MEPs emphasise, however, that accountability must extend beyond Russia’s upper leadership to encompass the entire chain of perpetrators and enablers responsible for the execution of these crimes .

The resolution also supports the close collaboration between different stakeholders, including Europol and Eurojust, and the Ukrainian Ombudsman, for information gathering and locating illegally transferred children.

Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved on November 11 agreements and memoranda with France, Italy and Spain on the joint acquisition of artillery ammunition, military vehicles and anti-drone systems under the EU’s SAFE programme

The largest of the projects by declared value is for the acquisition of up to 1040 military transport vehicles from Italy. The maximum budget envisaged is 410 million euro, with deliveries to be carried out in two stages.

The first covers the period from 2027 to 2030 and envisages the purchase of up to 700 vehicles worth up to 290 million euro. The financing will be provided through SAFE, and the amount also includes training of military personnel, technical support and spare parts.

The second stage should be completed by the end of 2032 and provides for the delivery of the remaining machines, up to a total of 1040. This will require additional funds of up to 120 million euro.

The project aims to improve the transport provision and operational readiness of the army. Opportunities for industrial cooperation are also envisaged, including the assembly of part of the equipment in Bulgaria with the participation of Bulgarian industry.

Bulgaria will prepare a framework agreement with France for the joint acquisition of 155-mm ammunition for the Caesar self-propelled howitzers.

This is the next step in the implementation of the project for the development of the artillery capabilities of the Bulgarian Army.

In 2025, the two countries signed a framework agreement for the acquisition of the howitzers themselves. The National Assembly is yet to approve the investment expenditure project, after which the individual orders with the specific financial parameters and deadlines will be signed.

Bulgaria will cooperate with Spain in the acquisition of systems to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. The approved memorandum provides for the joint purchase of up to 10 mobile systems and up to 10 container-type systems. Spain is the lead country in the project.

The next steps are for the National Assembly to approve the relevant investment expenditure project and for Bulgaria to join Spain’s contract for the acquisition of the systems.

All three projects are part of the efforts to develop Bulgaria’s defense capabilities through joint European procurement under SAFE. The documents approved by the government mark the beginning of the next stages, but the acquisitions will require additional decisions and the conclusion of specific contracts.

Sofia mayor Vasil Terziev signed a contract for 282 million euro in European grant funding for the modernisation of public transport and the construction and renovation of streets and boulevards in Bulgaria’s capital city, the municipality said on November 12.

The contract was signed with Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov.

The funds are provided under the procedure Support for Integrated Urban Transport and Sustainable Urban Mobility of Sofia Municipality, Priority 1 Integrated Urban Development of the Regional Development programme 2021 – 2027.

“We expect the metro line from the centre to Tsarigradsko Shose, the connection with Obelya and the connection that will provide contact with the railway station, as well as the extension of the Ring Road from the Lyulin metro stations to the Sofia Ring Road, to be built and put into operation soon,” Shishkov said.

The programme envisages large-scale investments in the development of transport.

Among these are the extension of the Third Metro Line through the Slatina district, the construction of a metro station next to the Obelya railway station on the Sofia – Kyustendil railway line, with a tunnel connection to the Obelya metro depot, as well as the acquisition of new metro trains for lines No. 1, 2 and 4.

With the signing of an additional agreement on October 27 for the delivery of eight more metro trains, the total number of new trains planned under the programme for lines No. 1, 2 and 4 will reach 16.

All of them should be delivered by autumn 2028. The new metro trains will provide greater comfort with quieter movement and air-conditioned cabins, as well as higher energy efficiency through an energy recovery system during braking, the municipality said.

The secured financing will contribute to covering part of the investments already made and will support the further development of the metro as the main backbone of public transport in Sofia.

In land transport, the funds will ensure the delivery of 75 low-floor trolleybuses with batteries for autonomous movement – 40 articulated with a length of 18 metres and 35 single ones with a length of 12 metres. 50 low-floor fast-charging electric buses and the necessary charging stations will also be delivered. Of these, 35 will be 12 metres long and 15 will be 18 metres long.

The new trolleybuses will allow for the expansion of the route network. It is planned to extend line No. 3 to Mladost-4 and provide a connection with Vrazhdebna, as well as line No. 8 to Orlandovtsi. New trolleybus connections are also planned between Lyulin and Gotse Delchev and between Nadezhda and Mladost-1.

The electric buses will serve two new ring lines – No. 71 between Levski G and Gotse Delchev and No. 75 between Geo Milev and Pavlovo. The routes will pass through key directions, including G. M. Dimitrov Blvd. and Todor Kableshkov Blvd.

With this European funding, combined with the long-term loan that the Sofia municipality will procure, the aim is for all ground public transport vehicles to be low-floor and air-conditioned by 2030, the municpality said.

This will improve accessibility and travel comfort, as well as connections between neighbourhoods, it said.

Investments for which construction activities have already been completed are also included. They are for the construction of Todor Kableshkov Blvd. between Louis Ayer St. and Cherni Vrah Blvd., which was completed this year, as well as Rozhen Blvd. from the overpass over the railway line to the Northern Expressway. Rozhen Blvd. was completed at the end of last year, and now the municipality is preparing the repair of the section from the railway overpass to the Nadezhda overpass, which will be financed through a long-term loan. 

According to data from the Management and Monitoring Information System (MIS), the contract is the largest in terms of value for a project under this programmeme, under which Sofia municipality is a beneficiary, since the first programmeming period 2007-2013.

(Photo: Sofia municipality)

Recriminations, including opposition calls for the Prime Minister to resign, and a Cabinet decision to award a strikingly large sum to the families and heirs of the deceased, have followed the November 10 chain crashes on Bulgaria’s Trakia Motorway in which 11 people died and 86 vehicles collided.

On November 10, Daniel Mitov, an MP for Boiko Borissov’s opposition coalition GERB-UDF, called for Prime Minister Roumen Radev and the “ministers responsible for the tragedy on the Trakia Motorway” to resign.

“Those in power have become accustomed to lying,” Mitov said.

“Today, (Interior) Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced that one of the reasons for the tragedy is that there is no connection between the Road Infrastructure Agency, the Ministry of Interior and the toll administration systems,” he said.

GERB MP Nikolai Nankov said that the section of the motorway where the accidents occured was “a skating rink” and for the first time in the past 30 years, as of November 10, there was still no announced winter maintenance system for the Trakia Motorway.

Kalin Stoyanov, an MP for the opposition Movement for Rights and Freedoms and a former interior minister, called for the immediate resignations of “all those responsible” for the November 10 chain crashes.

However, on November 11, a day after his party called for resignations, Borissov said that a law should be passed to prevent politicians commenting for at least 24 hours after such accidents.

Borissov went on to criticise the government for its lack of moral responsibility after the tragedy. He said that those responsible will not remove anyone, but will put the blame elsewhere.

“I removed three ministers for much smaller disasters, I removed Parliament Speakers for much smaller offences, this is a moral responsibility,” Borissov said.

On November 11, Parliament opened its sitting with a minute of silence for those who died in the chain crashes the day before. The ruling majority voted down opposition proposals for hearings of senior officials in connection with the Trakia Motorway crashes.

Road engineer Iliya Zapryanov told Nova Televizia on November that the Trakia Motorway is designed for a much lower load of heavy lorries.

Zapryanov said that the share of heavy good lorries among the vehicles in chain accidents on the Trakia Motorway is significantly higher than assumed when designing the highway.

He estimated that out of a total of 86 vehicles involved in the accidents, 22 were heavy goods lorries, or about a quarter. The motorway was designed to accommodate five to seven per cent of heavy goods vehicles.

According to Zapryanov, one of the quick solutions to relieve traffic on the motorway is to redirect lorries from Bourgas, Stara Zagora, Sliven and Yambol to Sofia along the Sub-Balkan Road , which is less congested.

“Drivers are worried about the lorries breathing down their necks . When you are moving at 90, 85, 95 km/h, the lorry behind you does not keep distance and bothers you,” Zapryanov. Said.

He also raised the issue of the lack of signs that specify a minimum distance between vehicles.

“Have you seen this road sign installed anywhere in Bulgaria? Who controls it? Where is the traffic police? Where is the Road Infrastructure Agency?” he said.

On November 11, the Cabinet decided to allocate 8000 euro each to the families and heirs of the 11 deceased.

This amount is unprecedented . It is the highest assistance to the relatives of the deceased that the state has ever paid.

Typically, such extraordinary financial support is provided to families of victims of natural disasters.

By comparison, during the floods in Tsarevo municipality in September 2023, the cabinet allocated 15 000 leva (about 7669 euro) each to the legal heirs of the four deceased.

The same amount of aid was also determined for the heirs of the four people who died in the floods in the Bourgas region on October 3 and 4 2025.

There is no other case where the government has provided financial assistance of this type to the relatives of people who died in road accidents.

In the bus accident near Svoge in August 2018, when 20 people died, the Social Assistance Agency announced that the families of the deceased and injured were legally entitled to receive a one-time benefit of up to 375 leva.

Meanwhile, the Romanian lorry driver whose vehicle reportedly was the first vehicle involved in the crash has been detained and questioned, but according to Bulgarian National Television, the Prosecutor’s Office will not press charges.

November 11, Remembrance Day, was observed in Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia with commemorations at the British and Commonwealth, German, Italian and French war graves.

This year, in addition to the traditional observances, speeches and prayers also honoured Bulgaria’s national day of mourning for the victims of the November 10 chain crashes on Trakia Motorway.

Remembrance Day commemorates and honours the dead in the wars of the 20^th century. The November 11 date arises from the anniversary of the Armistice at the close of the First World War.

As is traditional, proceedings began at the Commonwealth War Graves section, with an address by British ambassador Nathaniel Copsey, a service led by Father Patrick Irwin, and with poetry reading by Irish ambassador Catherine Bannon and by William Gladstone school pupils Anna Filipova, Evelin Vassileva and Yana Borissova.

Floral tributes were laid by ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of several countries, Bulgaria’s defence and foreign ministries, Nato and military veterans from Britain and South Africa.

In January – September 2026, the total value of all the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 35 599.3 million euro, 11.3 per cent more than in January – September 2025, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on November 11, citing preliminary data.

In September 2026, total exports of goods added up to 4 422.5 million euro, an increase of 21.4 per cent compared with September 2025, the NSI said.

The total value of all the goods imported into Bulgaria in January – September 2026 was 44 565.2 million euro (at CIF prices), 14.5 per cent more than in January – September 2025.

In September 2026, the total imports of goods increased by 14.3 per cent compared to the same month of the previous year, adding up to 5 314.7 million euro.

Bulgaria’s total foreign trade balance (exports FOB – imports CIF) was negative in January – September 2026, amounting to 8 965.9 million euro.

In September 2026, the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB – import CIF) was also negative, adding up to 892.2 million euro, the NSI said.

The known death toll in the November 10 double chain crashes near Yambol on Bulgaria’s Trakia Motorway is 12, with 48 people seriously injured, according to Prime Minister Roumen Radev, while the Health Ministry cautioned that this may not be the final figure for the death toll.

The chain crash involved a succession of two accidents, according to the Interior Ministry, which said that on a section of the motorway in the direction of Bourgas, a lorry blocked the path of a bus carrying a group of people.

Subsequently, there was a collision involving a lorry carrying wheat, and a passenger car crashed into it, the Interior Ministry said.

The ministry said that 86 vehicles were involved in the incident in both directions of the motorway – 63 that had been travelling towards Bourgas and 23 towards Sofia.

Acting Interior Ministry chief secretary Lyubomir Nikolov said that all those who died had been travelling in the lane towards Bourgas.

A probable cause for the serious accident was sharp and dense fog, the ministry said.

According to witnesses, visibility was initially about 70–80 metres, but at a certain point it sharply decreased to about 10 metres.

The ministry said that it is assumed that the accident in the lane for Sofia occurred in a similar way, and it is possible that the drivers’ attention was diverted by the serious accident in the opposite lane.

Two pre-trial proceedings have been initiated, as the traffic accidents occurred in both directions of the highway.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 46 people had been admitted to hospitals in Sliven, Yambol and Bourgas.

Among the injured in Bourgas is a patient in serious condition who is in the operating room, as well as a patient with severe chest trauma.

Hospitals in Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Haskovo and Sofia remain ready to accept injured people if necessary, the Health Ministry said.

It is possible that the death toll will rise after the cleanup is complete, the ministry said.

A medical helicopter took off from Sliven but was unable to land due to thick fog. The air ambulance teams were transported to the scene in police cars and joined the rescue operation. They remain on standby, the statement said.

It said that half of the area has been cleared so far. The most difficult stage of the operation is ahead – cutting up and clearing the cars that are piled up on top of each other, it said.

Sufficient quantities of blood have been provided in all medical facilities where injured people are being treated. Additional quantities will be provided if necessary.

The Bulgarian government information service said that Radev had cancelled events on his programme in Varna following his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The November 10 meeting of the Cabinet also was cancelled. The agenda for the Cabinet meeting had included amendments to the Road Traffic Act.

Radev said that news of the crash had reached him while he was on the government aircraft on the way to Varna.

“Immediately after landing, I ordered the Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev to leave on the government plane for Bourgas so that it could transport the wounded to hospitals in Sofia,” Radev said.

Two Spartan military transport planes immediately landed at Bourgas airport with stretchers and medical teams, he said.

At the moment, the information from the incident is about 12 dead and 48 injured, Radev said.

Since the concentration of the injured is in the hospitals in Sliven and Yambol, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov ordered the military transport planes to be re-based from Bourgas to the Bezmer airport in Yambol.

“We remain fully prepared for the evacuation of the injured from Sliven, Yambol and Bourgas to the hospitals in Sofia,” Radev said.

He said that the government would declare November 11 a day of national mourning.

President Ilana Yotova cancelled a trip to Paris that had been scheduled for November 10.

(Photo: Interior Ministry)

The European Commission (EC) is proposing dedicated funding of 50 million euro for the Black Sea maritime security hub, which is to be brought into operation by Bulgaria and Romania, EC President Ursula von der Leyen said in Varna on November 10.

The EC also is to provide an additional 10 million euro for the search and rescue authorities in Bulgaria.

Von der Leyen visited Romania on November 9 and Bulgaria on November 10, against the background of the attacks – generally blamed on Russia – on merchant shipping in the Black Sea.

The EC president visited the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy and held talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Roumen Radev.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Radev, Von der Leyen said: “Europe stands with Bulgaria, in these testing times. Because Black Sea security is European security”.

“We have witnessed together this year and specifically in the last month an increase in the number of threats, attacks and incursions into Bulgaria, which is EU territory,” Von der Leyen said.

“Now, drones are sinking commercial ships, setting vessels ablaze and killing civilians. Lives are lost at sea, navigation is disrupted, and the cost of insurance is skyrocketing,” she said.

“And the intention of these attacks is clear: Russia wants to spread fear and uncertainty in Europe. We know the playbook. And we are building resilience against it. So you can count on a strong and united European response.”

“In a wider context, we need to operationalise the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, conducted by Bulgaria and Romania. In this context I welcome the closer maritime cooperation between Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye,” Von der Leyen said.

“It is important to have it now up and running, and therefore we want to have clear timelines for its completion, and we want to offer a dedicated funding of 50 million euro to this Black Sea maritime security hub. We need it now.”

Radev, who along with his government opposes military equipment assistance for Ukraine, said that Bulgaria’s efforts to support Ukraine “have never ceased”.

“Especially here in Varna people know very well that we have been providing support for thousands of Ukrainian citizens free of charge and this is significant,” Radev said.

“You see that we are putting we are investing and putting in not only the material but also the human efforts and support for the protection of Ukrainian citizens at sea and you know that the Chelsea 3 vessel a significant part of the crew was Ukrainian citizens,” he said.

“We continue our support for Ukraine also with the export of electricity and power and energy towards Ukraine. We continue also with our efforts at bringing back into use the energy and electricity plants and also in the maintenance and re-establishment of the railway infrastructure.”

Radev said that in terms of financial support, Bulgaria was in an excessive deficit procedure, “so we do experience we are supporting in the financial capabilities that we have and respective to our financial capabilities but I would like to say that Bulgaria is in no way blocking the decisions at the council level that are being taken in unity for everyone to support as they can”.

Asked about the origin of the attacks on merchant shipping in the Black Sea, Radev said: “The attacks are a result of the escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. This is the reason for the attacks. As far as the details are concerned, we are continuing to work”.

“The international teams that we have announced are still in Bulgaria. They are working hard. We are keeping in touch with them but they still have not been able to identify the perpetrator,” Radev said.

“We base our claims against the third country on facts and not on preliminary conclusions. They clearly stated that these attacks are the result of an escalation of the military aggression of the war that Russia initiated against Ukraine. This is the origin, this is the reason.”

Radev said: “We would like to receive further data and specific facts as to who was the perpetrator in terms of the work that is still ongoing from the international teams. We are still continuing and working hard in order to be able to clearly state supported by the facts what the origin is”.

“Unfortunately, I would like to say that we would prefer to stick to the facts and not to any preliminary presuppositions and expectations,” Radev said.

(Photo via Von der Leyen’s page on X)

A strike by public sector trade unions is planned for Ireland on November 12, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said.

Local authorities are warning of protest marches and rallies in the time range of noon to 2pm, which will cover the entire country.

Marches and rallies are reportedly planned for the capital Dublin, they will pass through O’Connell Street and are expected to head towards government buildings; and the cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore and Letterkenny will also be affected by the protest marches.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Bulgarian citizens located or residing in Ireland inform themselves and monitor current developments, including possible restrictions on certain public services, the ministry said.

(Photo: Gareth Jones, via Wikimedia Commons)

European Union ministers adopted a decision on November 9 extending the mandate of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) for a further two years, until November 15 2028, with a budget allocation of nearly 300 million euro for this period, a statement by the Council of the EU said.

The decision follows the recent strategic review of EUMAM.

In this context, the Council also decided to establish a presence in Ukraine to ensure direct and effective coordination with the Ukrainian military authorities, the UAF and like-minded international partners, thus ensuring that the EU training continues to evolve in line with the UAF’s needs.

The mission’s mandate is also enriched so as to focus on lessons learned from the battlefield and on strengthening military training in support of Ukraine’s defence agenda.

EUMAM Ukraine will continue to coordinate closely with other like-minded international partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Norway.

It will also cooperate with the Coalition of the Willing, as well as with Nato within the framework of the Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) command.

EUMAM Ukraine is a key tool for the EU’s military support to Ukraine, with its core objective of contributing to enhancing the military capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the statement said.

The mission has trained more than 100 000 soldiers since it was established in October 2022 at Ukraine’s request.

Sofia’s now-traditional German Christmas Market in the City Garden opens in 2026 on November 14 and continues until December 21.

Bulgaria’s capital city’s oldest German Christmas Market (Deutscher Weihnachtsmarkt ) was first held in 2011, in its location in Alexander Battenberg Square near the Ivan Vazov National Theatre.

It features food and drink including mulled wine, crafts on sale, and fun for the children.

(Photo via the event’s Facebook page)

The Anglican Church in Sofia is starting off its Christmas celebrations with a carol service on December 15 at 10am, the church said on its Facebook page.

“We will welcome our guest choir to support us as we join together to sing some familiar carols. Afterwards we will have seasonal refreshments including cakes and mulled wine,” the church said.

The doors are usually open by 9.30am, and you can enjoy some refreshments before the service, it said.

The church’s services are held in the chapel at 5 Oborishte Street, Sofia.

More information via Facebook.

Bulgaria’s Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) said on November 9 that it fined supermarket chain Kaufland Bulgaria 75.7 million euro, citing “unfair trade practices towards Bulgarian food producers.”

CPC said that it launched an investigation against Kaufland Bulgaria in May, following an analysis of competition in the retail trade of agricultural and fast-moving food products.

The regulator said that it found Kaufland breached competition rules by seeking discounts from suppliers, taking advantage of its stronger negotiating position; applying further supplier price reductions by subtracting the cost of services rendered to suppliers; and by creating “unjustified barriers” for suppliers who sought a price increase for their goods.

CPC said that it imposed separate fines for those violations, which combined for 75.7 million euro. This is one of the largest amounts imposed as a fine by the regulator on a single entity.

In a statement, Kaufland Bulgaria said that it rejected in full both the accusations and the fines imposed on the company. It questioned the size of the fines, arguing that CPC’s decision disregarded European proportionality standards.

The company said that it intended to fight the fines in court (the fines can be appealed within 14 days of being handed down) and said that it would be “forced to review in full future investment in the country, including 200 million euro planned for the next three years ago.”

The statement further said that Kaufland would recommend that its parent, Schwarz Group, review its planned investments in Bulgaria. The group owns retailer Lidl, which also operates in the country.

(Photo: kaufland.bg)

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European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Romania and Bulgaria on November 9 and 10, the EC said.

This year, Europe has faced an alarming rise in hybrid threats, attacks, and incursions into EU territory, the statement said.

Around half of these incidents have affected Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea region.

During her visit, Von der Leyen will reaffirm Europe’s solidarity with both countries and determination to restore and preserve freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, the EC said.

Discussions will focus on strengthening maritime surveillance, accelerating defence investments and improving our capacity to respond to crises.

Von der Leyen will also announce new EU support for both countries to strengthen their security and resilience in these uncertain times.

In Bucharest on November 9,Von der Leyen is meeting Nicușor Dan, President of Romania, and Luca-Alexandru Niculescu, Prime Minister of Romania.

On November 10, Von der Leyen will be in Varna, Bulgaria. She will meet Prime Minister Roumen Radev and visit the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy.

As is traditional, a Remembrance Sunday service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Bulgaria’s city of Plovdiv on November 8.

Remembrance Sunday, held annually on the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day on November 11, commemorates and honours the dead in the wars of the 20^th century. The November 11 date arises from the anniversary of the Armistice at the close of the First World War.

In Plovdiv, the service was led by British ambassador Nathaniel Copsey and Father Patrick Irwin, and attended by military veterans from Britain and the Commonwealth, as well as members of the public.

The Lesson was read by Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Walker, and 10-year-old Charles Copsey delivered the Exhortation:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.”

(Photos: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

Remembrance Day 2026 services to be held in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv and Sofia

Hundreds of bags of red pepper have washed up on the beach near the village of Sinemorets on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Tsarevo municipality’s mayor Marin Kirov said on November 8.

Officials from the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection and Water in Bourgas and the Basin Directorate are taking samples of the sea water near Sinemorets to determine if there is any pollution.

According to the Bourgas district administration, the cargo was likely transported in a shipping container that opened at sea and currents carried the sacks to shore.

The incident also follows recent incidents of drones sinking or severely damaging merchant ships off Bulgaria’s coast, in attacks widely blamed on Russia.

The results of the checks on the sea water are expected next week. However, reaching the beach is a serious challenge for the inspectors themselves, as they have to walk nearly two kilometres through difficult terrain.

Kirov, in a post on Facebook, said that although though the beaches are exclusive state property, “we fully recognise the gravity of the situation regarding the hundreds of sacks of red pepper found on an undeveloped beach in Sinemorets”.

He said that the municipality was in constant contact with the district governor, and would assist in the cleanup of the beach.

“Naturally, I would like to make a point: such incidents are likely to become more frequent, and a formal mechanism for cleaning the coastline needs to be established,” Kirov said.

“Should this recur—given that the sea frequently washes various types of cargo onto our beaches and rocky shores—the state must allocate funds to the Bourgas district administration to cover these cleanup operations,” he said.

(Photo via Kirov’s Facebook page)

A Bulgarian Navy team destroyed on November 6 a drone – identified as a Russian Gerber-2 – that had been found near Shabla on Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast, according to a statement by the Defence Ministry.

At 10am, a signal was sent by the operational duty officer of the Ministry of Interior about the presence of a drone in the area of the beach north of the lighthouse on Cape Shabla, the ministry said.

A specialist team from Varna Naval Base established that the aerial drone probably fell into the sea and was subsequently thrown ashore.

According to the Defence Ministry, there were no inscriptions on its hull and it was classified as a Russian Gerber – 2. This contradicts earlier media reports that the drone was marked as a Shahel, a type that is of Iranian manufacture and which is used by Russia.

The drone was destroyed on site, with strict observance of all safety measures. It was established that it did not carry an explosive, the Defence Ministry said.

The incident is the latest of more than 100 in which drones or parts of drones have been found in Bulgarian waters or on beaches since the beginning of 2026, against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(Photo: Ministry of Defence)

Two civilian aircraft that were travelling from London and Brussels landed at Vassil Levski Sofia Airport on November 6 following e-mailed bomb threats, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said, citing the Transport Ministry.

The aircraft were checked by Border Police teams and no explosive devices were found, BNT said.

The planes landed without any problems.

This is the latest of a succession of disruptions of flights in Europe because of e-mailed bomb threats. On November 5, three aircraft that were the subject of bomb threats landed at Bulgarian airports – two in Sofia and one in Plovdiv.

Director of Air Traffic Management Ivan Dyaksov told Nova Televizia on November 6 that the e-mails were sent by “unknown organisations” whose goal is to sow discord. 

There have been at least 24 such cases across Europe in the past week,” Dyaksov said.

National security expert Colonel Assen Peychev told Nova TV: “There are two countries in the world that have an interest in destabilising Europe – Russia and Iran”.

“They aim to both drain resources and test how Nato countries react,” cybersecurity expert Lyubomir Tulev said.

(Photo: Sofia Airport)

Dr. Konstantin Trenchev, founder and honorary president of the Podkrepa labour confederation, has died at the age of 71 after a short illness, Podkrepa said on November 6.

“There are individuals whose names remain inextricably linked to a certain historical era,” Podkrepa said.

“For the Bulgarian independent trade union movement and the democratic changes after 1989, this name is Dr. Konstantin Trenchev.”

A doctor by profession, a public figure, a dissident by conviction and a leader by vocation, Trenchev was the man who, in 1989, laid the foundation for the first independent trade union in Bulgaria – Podkrepa, the statement said.

At a time when free association was impossible and the protection of human and labour rights was subordinated to state power, he chose the most difficult path – to oppose the system and give hope that free trade unionism was possible, it said.

The creation of Podkrepa was not simply the establishment of a new organisation, the labour confederation said. “It is an act of civic courage and protection of the dignity of Bulgarian workers”.

Because of this activity, Dr. Trenchev was subjected to repression, was arrested and spent several months as a political prisoner.

“Instead of being crushed, he became one of the symbols of the struggle for democracy, freedom of speech and the right to independent trade union association.”

After the fall of the communist regime, he became one of the founders of the Union of Democratic Forces and participated in the processes of democratic transition in the country, including in the National Round Table between the ruling party and the opposition.

After the democratic changes, Trenchev devoted more than a quarter of a century to building Podkrepa.

Thanks to his efforts, Podkrepa became the first Bulgarian trade union organisation accepted into the international and European trade union family.

He was the first Bulgarian elected as Vice-President of the European Trade Union Confederation, as well as as Vice-President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions – “a recognition not only of his personal authority, but also of Bulgaria’s place in the European social dialogue”.

In 2015, after 26 years at the helm of Podkrepa, he handed over the leadership to the next generation of trade union leaders and was elected honorary president of the confederation – recognition for his exceptional contribution to the development of the organization and the Bulgarian trade union movement, Podkrepa said.

(Photos via the Podkrepa website)

Bulgaria had the third-highest annual increase in retail trade volume in the European Union in September 2026, according to figures released on November 6 by EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Among EU member states for which data are available, the highest annual increases in the total retail trade volume were recorded in Cyprus (7.6 per cent), Sweden (6.9 per cent) and Bulgaria (5.7 per cent).

The largest decreases were observed in Germany (-2.4 per cent), Romania (-2.3 per cent) and Spain (-1.5 per cent).

In September 2026, compared with September 2025, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 0.4 per cent in the euro area and by 0.9 per cent in the EU, Eurostat said.

(Photo: Ngaulin)

A regular three-monthly poll by the National Statistical Institute (NSI), the results of which were released on November 6, shows that consumer confidence in Bulgaria has dropped by 6.9 percentage points.

The NSI found it to be slightly down in February. This was followed by a downturn in May, then an improvement in the poll reported in August.

In October 2026, there was decreased confidence among both urban and rural dwellers, by 5.3 and 11 percentage points, respectively, the NSI said.

Those polled were more pessimistic in their views of the economic situation in Bulgaria over the past 12 months and the coming 12 months.

Compared to July, their assessments and expectations about the changes in the financial situation of their households were also more negative.

In October, consumers’ assessments about the change of consumer prices over the past 12 months were more unfavourable. However, inflation expectations over the next 12 months were less intense, the NSI said.

While overall expectations were that unemployment in Bulgaria would slightly decrease over the coming 12 months, those living in cities expected that it would increase.

Most consumers saw the current economic situation in Bulgaria as unfavourable for savings.

Their attitude regarding intensions of spending on major purchases of durable goods and home improvements over the next 12 months was also negative, the NSI said.

Renowned sculptor and former Speaker of Bulgaria’s National Assembly Vezhdi Rashidov has died at the age of 74, it was confirmed on November 6.

Rashidov was born on December 14 1951 in Dimitrovgrad.

In 1970, he graduated from the Iliya Petrov Art School of Fine Arts in Sofia, and in 1978, he graduated from the Sculpture Department at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia.

From 1978, Rashidov participated in national and international exhibitions, biennials and symposiums.

He presented his works at the International Sculpture Biennale in Ravenna and the World Art Fair in Basel.

Among his solo exhibitions are those at Unesco in Paris in 1989, in Tokyo in 1992 and at the Oscar Wilde Museum in Dublin in 2006. In addition to sculptures, he exhibited drawings and watercolours.

Among his awards are the Vatican’s Dante Alighieri Gold Medal in 1981, the first prize at the International Biennial of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo in 1983, and the Vera grand prize for sculpture at the “Traditions and Modernity” International Festival in Moscow in 2009.

Rashidov was awarded the Order of the Stara Planina with Ribbon and is a Corresponding Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He was an honorary citizen of Sofia, Dimitrovgrad, and Kurdzhali, among other cities. His works are held in Bulgarian galleries and in collections abroad, including the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Rashidov was Minister of Culture in the first and second Boiko Borissov governments. He held the post from July 27 2009 to March 13 2013 and from November 7 2014 to January 27 2017.

Rashidov was a member of parliament in seven parliaments. On October 21 2022, he was elected Speaker of the 48th National Assembly and held the position until the end of his term in February 2023.

In the 49th National Assembly, he was an MP from Borissov’s GERB-UDF. On September 1 2023, his resignation was approved by Parliament.