Nicolas Schmit, the newly-elected president of the Party of European Socialists (PES), has voiced his support for Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen Area. Speaking at a press briefing following his election at a PES congress held in Rome, Schmit emphasized the importance of Bulgaria’s integration into the Schengen Zone. “It is time for Bulgaria…
In 2023, the average gross monthly salary was 12,354.7 lei (about 636 euros), increasing by 17.3% in nominal value and in real terms by 3.4% compared to 2022. The data were presented by the National Statistics Bureau (BNS). In the fourth quarter of 2023, the average gross monthly salary, in units in the real sector…
Effective from March 1, Bulgaria has officially halted the use and importation of Russian oil for fuel production, following a decision by the Parliament to drop the derogation. Initially slated to remain in effect until the end of the year, lawmakers opted to significantly shorten the timeline to avoid indirectly financing Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical…
In January-February, the general fund of the state budget of Ukraine received about $1.2 billion of external financing. Grants provided on a non-refundable basis accounted for 75% of the total amount of financial assistance. Among the donors were Japan – $901 million (concessional financing and grants), Norway – $295 million (grant) and Spain – $3…
The cash payments will be limited. The parliament has approved, in the second reading, a draft law, which provides for norms on the circulation of cash money in the economic circuit and orientation to the carrying out of payments by transfer. The draft’s stipulations will be applied to the legal entities, no matter the type…
A price war between Poland’s two largest supermarket chains has intensified after a court asked bailiffs to seize adverts by Biedronka claiming that it has been “cheaper than Lidl since 2002”. The battle between the two giants over the last month has aroused great public interest, including spawning a series of memes. But it has…
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in contributing to the restoration of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions significantly affected by the war. This was discussed during a meeting between Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the EBRD, in London. “We are…