Bulgaria: country faces record low electricity exports amidst slow energy sector reforms

In 2024 Bulgaria’s electricity sector faced significant challenges, with a sharp decline in exports and a rise in domestic consumption. The country’s energy production decreased by 5% compared to the previous year, largely due to reduced output from coal-fired thermal power plants. However, renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, saw notable growth. Despite producing record…

Ukraine: Donor Platform meeting discusses budget support and recovery priorities

On January 14 the twelfth meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ukraine Donor Platform, established to coordinate international assistance and address the immediate needs and long-term recovery of Ukraine, took place. During the meeting, the partners discussed the Platform’s priorities – mobilising resources for external budget support for Ukraine in 2026 and Ukraine’s recovery…

Ukraine: Ministry of Strategic Industries discusses potential ways of cooperation in defence industry with Japan

Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome. The meeting took place at a Ukrainian enterprise that manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles. The parties discussed potential areas of cooperation between the defence industries of Ukraine and Japan. The minister spoke about the achievements of…