Sofia Weekly (published by Sofia News Agency, novinite.com)

HOT PHOTO

Bulgaria, Greece Launch One-Stop Border Control
Greek Civil Protection Minister Hrisohoidis (left middle) and Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetanov (right-middle) open the cross-border Contact Center at Kulata-Promahonas. Photo by BGNES

Top Story

Finance Minister: Bulgaria Is Island of Economic Stability

Bulgaria's government will be ready with its new package of anti-crisis measures by next week, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov announced.

A team of representatives of several of Bulgaria's ministries is going to present the package at the beginning of next week, and will discuss them with the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation (i.e. representatives of the trade unions and the business sector).

Answering a question by Georgi Pirinski, MP from the opposition Socialist Party, Djankov said the package will also be presented during the weekly meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, and after that in Parliament before the MPs.

According to Pirinski, who chaired the Bulgarian Parliament in 2005-2009, Djankov's measures will focus mostly on cutting government spending as much as possible, and this will be an act of panic, as his plan to increase state revenue failed.

The Finance Minister told Parliament that this week Bulgaria registered its lowest level of foreign risk (i.e. CDS) since September 2008, and that this was the result of the policies of the Borisov government.

Djankov also stressed the fact that Bulgaria is now meeting the inflation criteria for ERM II, the Eurozone waiting room, something which the previous two governments since 2001 failed to achieve.

"Bulgaria's economy is sailing in a rough sea but Bulgaria is an island of stability in the region, and will remain that way. We will not allow a crisis such as the one in Greece," the Finance Minister declared.

"There are forces that are still trying to push Bulgaria towards a higher budget deficit, which will slow down our economic recovery from the crisis," he elaborated.

Socialist MP Georgi Pirinski retorted that Djankov's entire policy was leading to a boost of the gray sector. He insisted that Djankov should resign, and that he should take this decision on his own.

Bulgaria, Romania Cooperate on Ferries, Bridges, Hydro Power

The Prime Ministers of Bulgaria and Romania inaugurated Friday the new ferry line connecting Nikopol and Turnu Magurele across the Danube River.

During the ceremony he attended together with his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc, Bulgaria's PM Boyko Borisov, said the two countries intended to realize a number of joint measures to boost bilateral exchange and travel.

According to Borisov, Bulgaria and Romania are considering reducing the transit fees for the only existing Danube bridge linking them at Ruse-Giurgiu, and building a joint hydro power plant on the Danube. They are also working to complete the construction of the second Danube bridge connecting Bulgaria's Vidin and Romania's Calafat.

"We found Danube Bridge 2 in a messy state, and we had to give back to the EU over EUR 200 M as a result. We then had to reapply, and Brussels extended the deadline for us until 2012 so that we can build this bridge with the money of European solidarity," Borisov said throwing the blame for the slow progress on the second Bulgaria-Romania bridge on his predecessors from the Stanishev government, at least as far as the Bulgarian side is concerned.

"Together with the Romanians, we also intend to built a hydro power plant. This means investments, employment, and prosperity for an entire region. Thus, on our part, as a nation and a country, we need full mobilization, lots of work, so that we can stabilize our situation in the next 2-3 years," Bulgaria's PM said.

"We have taken up a number of things together, we want to reduce the transit fees for crossing the Danube, we want to build two more bridges. The Danube will be crossed four times a day by this lovely ferry. Where there is transport and traffic, there is life. The situation is hard but the crisis won't last for 100 years. We are going to hold firm for several months, for a year, and during that time we are going to progress with our projects," he elaborated.

The new ferry boat complex is connecting Bulgaria's town of Nikopol and Romania's Turnu Magurele.

The distance between the two ferry stations is 800 m. It will take 8 minutes to cross the Danube River for the Romanian ferry boat.

The Bulgarian Port of Nikopol is first going to use an older ferry boat to be provided by Bulgarian River Shipping, Jsc, which will be making the distance in 15 minutes. Later, a brand new ferry boat will be purchased.

Crossing the Danube on the Nikopol - Turnu Magurele ferry will cost EUR 2 per person one-way, EUR 12 per car, and EUR 90-100 per truck.

The investment in the construction of the Nikopol - Turnu Magurele complex is EUR 10 M.

Energy

Bulgaria Sticks to Both Kozloduy, Belene Nuclear Projects

Bulgaria plans to give the green light to the 2,000 megawatt Belene nuclear plant on the Danube River and the expansion of Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant simultaneously, the energy and economy minister has announced.
| read |

Diplomacy

Turkey Foreign Minister: Bulgaria Is Very Successful Model

Bulgaria and Turkey are an international model for good neighborly relations, declared Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.
| read |

More News

· PM: We Have to Stand Firm to Prevent Bulgaria's Bankruptcy
· Enel Confirms Plans for Bulgaria Thermal Plant Sale

· Bulgaria GERB Launches Sign up for President Impeachment
· Bulgarian City Struggles as Councilors Play Farmville on Facebook

Finance

Environment

Bulgaria Anticipates Spring Solstice

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114367

Light Quake Shakes Antonovo in North Bulgaria

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114237

Diplomacy

Business

Energy

Education

Oxbridge Educational Recruiters Make First Bulgaria Visit

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114387

Defense

Bulgaria Agrees Military Cooperation with Serbia

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114296

Bulgaria Becomes Part of International Defense Logistics Unit

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114281

Bulgarian Military Protest over Health Insurance Changes

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114265

Bulgaria Parliament Speaker: No Missile Shield Discussions

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114257

Society

Industry

100 Bulgarian Workers Go on Hunger Strike over Layoffs

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114343

Culture

Bulgaria, Montenegro Prepare Culture Cooperation Agreement

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114373

Bulgarian Virtuosos Perform Music of Oscar Winning Movie

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114168

Bulgaria in EU

Sports

Properties

Bulgaria's Newest Shopping Mall 'Serdika Center' Opens in Sofia

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114248

Tishman Sofia Airport Center Office 1st to Win Green Award

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114230

Domestic

Archaeology

Sofia Metro Construction Stumbles upon Invaluable Archaeology Site

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114264

Tourism

TUI: Romania Tourism Lags behind Bulgaria by 7-8 Years

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114225

Bulgaria's Varna Welcomes First Tourists for 2010 Summer Season

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114215

Bulgaria Gets Special Award at Moscow Tourism Expo ITM

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114188

Romanians Expected to Invade Bulgarian Sea Resorts over Easter

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114169

Crime

Show Buzz

Scream Star McGowan Joins Conan Cast as Bulgaria Filming Starts

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114351

Jackson Makes Recording Deal History

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114254

Bulgaria Gallery Presents Classic Pop Art Icons

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114222

US Actor Ron Perlman Joins Conan ahead of Bulgaria Shooting

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114197

Interview

The Economist Analyst Toby Iles: Greece Harms Bulgaria's Euro Bid, Recovery

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114288

EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva: Bulgaria Not Threatened with Greece's Financial Problems

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114220

Views on BG

Editorial

Rampant Turks Still in Denial

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114357

Pour la Peau d'un President

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www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114250

Smile

Hunter

A hunter complains to a friend:

"Last week I went hunting but I forgot my rifle..."

"And when did you notice that?"

"When I came home two days later and brought my wife a couple of rabbits..."

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Irresistible

"Dear, alcohol makes you irresistible!"

"But I haven't drunk anything!!?"

"Well... I have!..."

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At the Dentist's

"Come on, sweetie, open your mouth so that the nice dentist can pull his fingers out of it," says a mother to her 6 year-old son...

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Peas

A patient goes to the doctor with stomachache.

"What did you have for dinner last night?", asks the doctor.

"Beef with peas," says the patient.

"Just how much of that?"

"Well, 182 peas."

"Wow! How do you know their exact number!?", the doctor is shocked.

"What do you think I am doing while my wife talks all the time?!"

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World


	20 Mar 2010 \| Issue 182 \| Sofia: min 4°, max 16°; Varna: min 6°, max 14°

Finance \| Environment \| Diplomacy \| Business \| Energy \| Education \| Defense \| Society \| Industry \| Culture \| Bulgaria in EU \| Sports \| Properties \| Domestic \| Archaeology \| Tourism \| Crime \| Show Buzz \| Interview \| Views on BG \| Editorial \| Smile \| World \| In Pictures