Press Review
Sofia, September 14 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"24 Chassa" writes in a frontpage story that experts of the ministries of finance and social affairs are considering a ceiling of 800 leva for pensions, extended by the end of 2009. Now, the ceiling is 700 leva and it will be effective by January 1, 2010. The idea is to prevent unequal treatment of 41,900 people that are to retire by the year's end.
An economists' report, drafted on order by President Georgi Purvanov, proposes a tax threshold of 1,000 leva and a 20 per cent tax for the rich, the "Troud" paper writes. Days after the exchange of sharp-worded messages on energy issues between President Purvanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Head of State is delivering a second blow by urging the new Government to adopt urgently an anticrisis plan and criticizing the cabinet of ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev of squandering.
A year after the emergence of the crisis, Bulgaria still does not have an economic plan to take the country out of the recession and guarantee development, "Troud" writes referring to the report. It has been drafted mostly by experts of the Economic Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: senior research associate Mitko Dimitrov Ph.D., Prof. Garabed Minassyan, Ph.D., Assoc Prof. Stoyan Alexandrov, Ph.D., etc.
The number of people, who consider that Bulgaria is seriously affected by the world economic crisis, increased by 20 points in the past six months, according to an opinion poll conducted by Gallup for the "Klassa" paper. The share of working Bulgarians feeling personally endangered of lay-offs due to the economic stagnation is 4 per cent up.
Purvanov criticized Borissov too early, Blagoevgrad Mayor and former Left MP Konstantin Paskalev is quoted by "Troud" as saying. According to Paskalev, each government needs time to establish itself and the incumbent one is coping with this task relatively fast. Paskalev says that relations with the local authorities are the nearest submerged rock for the Cabinet. So far the ministries would not pay the money for various projects in time creating financial problems for the municipalities and this absurd situation should be eliminated, the Blagoevgrad Mayor further says cited by the paper.
Construction of the last section of the Trakiya Motorway will probably begin in April, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev says over the Bulgarian National Radio cited by "24 Chassa". However, there are certain problems: the lack of a clear route and of a construction permit. The Minister is quoted by "Troud" as saying that round-the-clock work will be needed so as to obtain a construction permit in February.
"Sega" cites Agriculture Fund Executive Director Kalina Ilieva as saying that Brussels will provide instructions about the funds in agriculture on a monthly basis.
The State Agency for National Security (SANS) would submit reports on forest and land swaps to former Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev but the latter would not take any action, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov is quoted as saying by the "Ataka" paper.
"We are monitoring all public procurement contracts," Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says in an interview for "24 Chassa". He is also quoted as saying that the highest number of reports for abuse concerns the Regional Development Ministry, the Environment Ministry, the Social Ministry and the Ministry of Defence.
Interviewed by the "Troud" paper, Stoyan Mavrodiev MP of GERB, who heads a commission recently established to investigate Sergei Stanishev's cabinet, says that one of the issues high on the agenda of the discussions is the disbursement of a budget surplus of 4,000 million leva during the last year of tenure of the previous government.
A circle of companies, close to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), syphoned the budget of the Agriculture Fund, "Ataka" writes on its front page. Ataka Party leader Volen Siderov is quoted as saying that Purvanov and MRF leader Ahmed Dogan may face trial, if the "shady affairs of their oligarchs are investigated".
ECONOMY
The banks are firmly against part of the contemplated legislative changes, which would increase the protection of clients having taken consumer loans, "Sega" writes. The banks insist not to be deprived of the right to change unilaterally clauses of the contracts. This is the position of the Association of Bankers in Bulgaria on the Consumer Credit Bill. The Bill concerns loans of 400 to 147,000 leva. It transposes the provisions of the EU directive about this type of loans and is expected to take effects as of June 11, 2010.
***
"The Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria: Cautious Optimists after Year of Crisis," reads a frontpage headline in "Dnevnik". Exactly a year after the emergence of the world financial crisis, the data about the Bulgarian economy seem worrying at the least, the paper writes. The author says that in 12 months the Gross Domestic Product fell by some 5 per cent, bad credits within the banking system doubled, employment grew by 40 per cent and industry shrank by 30 per cent. The future is still unclear; managers and entrepreneurs refrain from categoric forecasts but they are already more optimistic, reads the article.
***
"Monitor" writes about revival of the market of used cars. Experts are quoted as saying that the demand for used cars of up to 10,000 leva has increased considerably compared to the first quarter of the year.
***
The prices will fall further, VIVACOM CEO Bernard Moscheni says cited by "24 Chassa". A single invoicing system and a structure, focused on the development of services, are about to be installed.
***
"Troud" writes that tailoring and shoewear companies use the cover of cooperatives of disabled so as to enjoy social security and tax reliefs. At the same time they pay their employees salaries of 110 to 200 leva, the paper says.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
A total of 1,355 children and youth up to the age of 17 were wounded in incidents in 2008, "Douma" writes referring to the official statistics of the Interior Ministry. Twelve children died and 521 were wounded as pedestrians. Fourteen died and 209 were wounded while driving bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles. Of the passengers, who died and were wounded last year, 48 and 655, respectively, were minors. A total of 703 children suffered in incidents caused or involving adults. At the beginning of the new school year the Interior Ministry is launching concrete measures for enhancing children's security and limiting the preconditions for traffic accidents.
EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE
The 2009-2010 school year will be a test for the discipline in schools, "Sega" writes in an analysis.
***
The price of textbooks for eighth-grade school children has doubled compared to last year, "Telegraf" writes.
***
"Dnevnik" cites cardiosurgeon Prof. Alexander Chirkov as proposing that the Health Minister is assisted by a Doctors' Board of Experts. According to Teodora Zaharieva, Chairperson of the Centre for the Protection of Rights in Healthcare, the prophylaxis of socially relevant diseases is a main task.
***
Through the "Troud" paper actor Kosta Tsonev thanks Dr. Alexander Chirkov for a recently performed cardiovascular operation. Tsonev recently marked his 80th anniversary.
***
All papers write that Bulgaria's volleyball team took the bronze at the European Championship in Turkey after beating Russia.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 14, 2009
• Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has slammed both the new and old governments in his fourth Presidential report and has also proposed drastic tax reforms. Bulgaria's finance minister Simeon Djankov has described as "insane" the proposal and commented: "The flat tax rate has turned into an institution in Bulgaria and its removal will doom the country to two or three years of economic decline. This is not a proposal that good experts would make."
• In the last 20 years the Bulgarian Customs were ruled by organized criminal groups, the Customs new Director, General Vanyo Tanov, admitted in a special interview for the morning block of the Bulgarian TV channel bTV, adding that there was murky business both at the Customs Agency and the Interior Ministry.
• Bulgaria customs officials have discovered 95 kg of heroin (amount to more than BGN 11 million) at the Kalotina border crossing in a Turkish lorry trying to cross the Bulgaria-Serbian border. Customs officers have prevented four attempts for illegal heroin trafficking at total amount of 173 kg over the last 20 days.
mandag den 14. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 9, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 14 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"24 Chassa" writes in a frontpage story that experts of the ministries of finance and social affairs are considering a ceiling of 800 leva for pensions, extended by the end of 2009. Now, the ceiling is 700 leva and it will be effective by January 1, 2010. The idea is to prevent unequal treatment of 41,900 people that are to retire by the year's end.
An economists' report, drafted on order by President Georgi Purvanov, proposes a tax threshold of 1,000 leva and a 20 per cent tax for the rich, the "Troud" paper writes. Days after the exchange of sharp-worded messages on energy issues between President Purvanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Head of State is delivering a second blow by urging the new Government to adopt urgently an anticrisis plan and criticizing the cabinet of ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev of squandering.
A year after the emergence of the crisis, Bulgaria still does not have an economic plan to take the country out of the recession and guarantee development, "Troud" writes referring to the report. It has been drafted mostly by experts of the Economic Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: senior research associate Mitko Dimitrov Ph.D., Prof. Garabed Minassyan, Ph.D., Assoc Prof. Stoyan Alexandrov, Ph.D., etc.
The number of people, who consider that Bulgaria is seriously affected by the world economic crisis, increased by 20 points in the past six months, according to an opinion poll conducted by Gallup for the "Klassa" paper. The share of working Bulgarians feeling personally endangered of lay-offs due to the economic stagnation is 4 per cent up.
Purvanov criticized Borissov too early, Blagoevgrad Mayor and former Left MP Konstantin Paskalev is quoted by "Troud" as saying. According to Paskalev, each government needs time to establish itself and the incumbent one is coping with this task relatively fast. Paskalev says that relations with the local authorities are the nearest submerged rock for the Cabinet. So far the ministries would not pay the money for various projects in time creating financial problems for the municipalities and this absurd situation should be eliminated, the Blagoevgrad Mayor further says cited by the paper.
Construction of the last section of the Trakiya Motorway will probably begin in April, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev says over the Bulgarian National Radio cited by "24 Chassa". However, there are certain problems: the lack of a clear route and of a construction permit. The Minister is quoted by "Troud" as saying that round-the-clock work will be needed so as to obtain a construction permit in February.
"Sega" cites Agriculture Fund Executive Director Kalina Ilieva as saying that Brussels will provide instructions about the funds in agriculture on a monthly basis.
The State Agency for National Security (SANS) would submit reports on forest and land swaps to former Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev but the latter would not take any action, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov is quoted as saying by the "Ataka" paper.
"We are monitoring all public procurement contracts," Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says in an interview for "24 Chassa". He is also quoted as saying that the highest number of reports for abuse concerns the Regional Development Ministry, the Environment Ministry, the Social Ministry and the Ministry of Defence.
Interviewed by the "Troud" paper, Stoyan Mavrodiev MP of GERB, who heads a commission recently established to investigate Sergei Stanishev's cabinet, says that one of the issues high on the agenda of the discussions is the disbursement of a budget surplus of 4,000 million leva during the last year of tenure of the previous government.
A circle of companies, close to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), syphoned the budget of the Agriculture Fund, "Ataka" writes on its front page. Ataka Party leader Volen Siderov is quoted as saying that Purvanov and MRF leader Ahmed Dogan may face trial, if the "shady affairs of their oligarchs are investigated".
ECONOMY
The banks are firmly against part of the contemplated legislative changes, which would increase the protection of clients having taken consumer loans, "Sega" writes. The banks insist not to be deprived of the right to change unilaterally clauses of the contracts. This is the position of the Association of Bankers in Bulgaria on the Consumer Credit Bill. The Bill concerns loans of 400 to 147,000 leva. It transposes the provisions of the EU directive about this type of loans and is expected to take effects as of June 11, 2010.
***
"The Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria: Cautious Optimists after Year of Crisis," reads a frontpage headline in "Dnevnik". Exactly a year after the emergence of the world financial crisis, the data about the Bulgarian economy seem worrying at the least, the paper writes. The author says that in 12 months the Gross Domestic Product fell by some 5 per cent, bad credits within the banking system doubled, employment grew by 40 per cent and industry shrank by 30 per cent. The future is still unclear; managers and entrepreneurs refrain from categoric forecasts but they are already more optimistic, reads the article.
***
"Monitor" writes about revival of the market of used cars. Experts are quoted as saying that the demand for used cars of up to 10,000 leva has increased considerably compared to the first quarter of the year.
***
The prices will fall further, VIVACOM CEO Bernard Moscheni says cited by "24 Chassa". A single invoicing system and a structure, focused on the development of services, are about to be installed.
***
"Troud" writes that tailoring and shoewear companies use the cover of cooperatives of disabled so as to enjoy social security and tax reliefs. At the same time they pay their employees salaries of 110 to 200 leva, the paper says.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
A total of 1,355 children and youth up to the age of 17 were wounded in incidents in 2008, "Douma" writes referring to the official statistics of the Interior Ministry. Twelve children died and 521 were wounded as pedestrians. Fourteen died and 209 were wounded while driving bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles. Of the passengers, who died and were wounded last year, 48 and 655, respectively, were minors. A total of 703 children suffered in incidents caused or involving adults. At the beginning of the new school year the Interior Ministry is launching concrete measures for enhancing children's security and limiting the preconditions for traffic accidents.
EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE
The 2009-2010 school year will be a test for the discipline in schools, "Sega" writes in an analysis.
***
The price of textbooks for eighth-grade school children has doubled compared to last year, "Telegraf" writes.
***
"Dnevnik" cites cardiosurgeon Prof. Alexander Chirkov as proposing that the Health Minister is assisted by a Doctors' Board of Experts. According to Teodora Zaharieva, Chairperson of the Centre for the Protection of Rights in Healthcare, the prophylaxis of socially relevant diseases is a main task.
***
Through the "Troud" paper actor Kosta Tsonev thanks Dr. Alexander Chirkov for a recently performed cardiovascular operation. Tsonev recently marked his 80th anniversary.
***
All papers write that Bulgaria's volleyball team took the bronze at the European Championship in Turkey after beating Russia.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 14, 2009
• Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has slammed both the new and old governments in his fourth Presidential report and has also proposed drastic tax reforms. Bulgaria's finance minister Simeon Djankov has described as "insane" the proposal and commented: "The flat tax rate has turned into an institution in Bulgaria and its removal will doom the country to two or three years of economic decline. This is not a proposal that good experts would make."
• In the last 20 years the Bulgarian Customs were ruled by organized criminal groups, the Customs new Director, General Vanyo Tanov, admitted in a special interview for the morning block of the Bulgarian TV channel bTV, adding that there was murky business both at the Customs Agency and the Interior Ministry.
• Bulgaria customs officials have discovered 95 kg of heroin (amount to more than BGN 11 million) at the Kalotina border crossing in a Turkish lorry trying to cross the Bulgaria-Serbian border. Customs officers have prevented four attempts for illegal heroin trafficking at total amount of 173 kg over the last 20 days.
Sofia, September 14 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"24 Chassa" writes in a frontpage story that experts of the ministries of finance and social affairs are considering a ceiling of 800 leva for pensions, extended by the end of 2009. Now, the ceiling is 700 leva and it will be effective by January 1, 2010. The idea is to prevent unequal treatment of 41,900 people that are to retire by the year's end.
An economists' report, drafted on order by President Georgi Purvanov, proposes a tax threshold of 1,000 leva and a 20 per cent tax for the rich, the "Troud" paper writes. Days after the exchange of sharp-worded messages on energy issues between President Purvanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Head of State is delivering a second blow by urging the new Government to adopt urgently an anticrisis plan and criticizing the cabinet of ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev of squandering.
A year after the emergence of the crisis, Bulgaria still does not have an economic plan to take the country out of the recession and guarantee development, "Troud" writes referring to the report. It has been drafted mostly by experts of the Economic Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: senior research associate Mitko Dimitrov Ph.D., Prof. Garabed Minassyan, Ph.D., Assoc Prof. Stoyan Alexandrov, Ph.D., etc.
The number of people, who consider that Bulgaria is seriously affected by the world economic crisis, increased by 20 points in the past six months, according to an opinion poll conducted by Gallup for the "Klassa" paper. The share of working Bulgarians feeling personally endangered of lay-offs due to the economic stagnation is 4 per cent up.
Purvanov criticized Borissov too early, Blagoevgrad Mayor and former Left MP Konstantin Paskalev is quoted by "Troud" as saying. According to Paskalev, each government needs time to establish itself and the incumbent one is coping with this task relatively fast. Paskalev says that relations with the local authorities are the nearest submerged rock for the Cabinet. So far the ministries would not pay the money for various projects in time creating financial problems for the municipalities and this absurd situation should be eliminated, the Blagoevgrad Mayor further says cited by the paper.
Construction of the last section of the Trakiya Motorway will probably begin in April, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev says over the Bulgarian National Radio cited by "24 Chassa". However, there are certain problems: the lack of a clear route and of a construction permit. The Minister is quoted by "Troud" as saying that round-the-clock work will be needed so as to obtain a construction permit in February.
"Sega" cites Agriculture Fund Executive Director Kalina Ilieva as saying that Brussels will provide instructions about the funds in agriculture on a monthly basis.
The State Agency for National Security (SANS) would submit reports on forest and land swaps to former Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev but the latter would not take any action, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov is quoted as saying by the "Ataka" paper.
"We are monitoring all public procurement contracts," Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says in an interview for "24 Chassa". He is also quoted as saying that the highest number of reports for abuse concerns the Regional Development Ministry, the Environment Ministry, the Social Ministry and the Ministry of Defence.
Interviewed by the "Troud" paper, Stoyan Mavrodiev MP of GERB, who heads a commission recently established to investigate Sergei Stanishev's cabinet, says that one of the issues high on the agenda of the discussions is the disbursement of a budget surplus of 4,000 million leva during the last year of tenure of the previous government.
A circle of companies, close to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), syphoned the budget of the Agriculture Fund, "Ataka" writes on its front page. Ataka Party leader Volen Siderov is quoted as saying that Purvanov and MRF leader Ahmed Dogan may face trial, if the "shady affairs of their oligarchs are investigated".
ECONOMY
The banks are firmly against part of the contemplated legislative changes, which would increase the protection of clients having taken consumer loans, "Sega" writes. The banks insist not to be deprived of the right to change unilaterally clauses of the contracts. This is the position of the Association of Bankers in Bulgaria on the Consumer Credit Bill. The Bill concerns loans of 400 to 147,000 leva. It transposes the provisions of the EU directive about this type of loans and is expected to take effects as of June 11, 2010.
***
"The Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria: Cautious Optimists after Year of Crisis," reads a frontpage headline in "Dnevnik". Exactly a year after the emergence of the world financial crisis, the data about the Bulgarian economy seem worrying at the least, the paper writes. The author says that in 12 months the Gross Domestic Product fell by some 5 per cent, bad credits within the banking system doubled, employment grew by 40 per cent and industry shrank by 30 per cent. The future is still unclear; managers and entrepreneurs refrain from categoric forecasts but they are already more optimistic, reads the article.
***
"Monitor" writes about revival of the market of used cars. Experts are quoted as saying that the demand for used cars of up to 10,000 leva has increased considerably compared to the first quarter of the year.
***
The prices will fall further, VIVACOM CEO Bernard Moscheni says cited by "24 Chassa". A single invoicing system and a structure, focused on the development of services, are about to be installed.
***
"Troud" writes that tailoring and shoewear companies use the cover of cooperatives of disabled so as to enjoy social security and tax reliefs. At the same time they pay their employees salaries of 110 to 200 leva, the paper says.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
A total of 1,355 children and youth up to the age of 17 were wounded in incidents in 2008, "Douma" writes referring to the official statistics of the Interior Ministry. Twelve children died and 521 were wounded as pedestrians. Fourteen died and 209 were wounded while driving bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles. Of the passengers, who died and were wounded last year, 48 and 655, respectively, were minors. A total of 703 children suffered in incidents caused or involving adults. At the beginning of the new school year the Interior Ministry is launching concrete measures for enhancing children's security and limiting the preconditions for traffic accidents.
EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE
The 2009-2010 school year will be a test for the discipline in schools, "Sega" writes in an analysis.
***
The price of textbooks for eighth-grade school children has doubled compared to last year, "Telegraf" writes.
***
"Dnevnik" cites cardiosurgeon Prof. Alexander Chirkov as proposing that the Health Minister is assisted by a Doctors' Board of Experts. According to Teodora Zaharieva, Chairperson of the Centre for the Protection of Rights in Healthcare, the prophylaxis of socially relevant diseases is a main task.
***
Through the "Troud" paper actor Kosta Tsonev thanks Dr. Alexander Chirkov for a recently performed cardiovascular operation. Tsonev recently marked his 80th anniversary.
***
All papers write that Bulgaria's volleyball team took the bronze at the European Championship in Turkey after beating Russia.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 14, 2009
• Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has slammed both the new and old governments in his fourth Presidential report and has also proposed drastic tax reforms. Bulgaria's finance minister Simeon Djankov has described as "insane" the proposal and commented: "The flat tax rate has turned into an institution in Bulgaria and its removal will doom the country to two or three years of economic decline. This is not a proposal that good experts would make."
• In the last 20 years the Bulgarian Customs were ruled by organized criminal groups, the Customs new Director, General Vanyo Tanov, admitted in a special interview for the morning block of the Bulgarian TV channel bTV, adding that there was murky business both at the Customs Agency and the Interior Ministry.
• Bulgaria customs officials have discovered 95 kg of heroin (amount to more than BGN 11 million) at the Kalotina border crossing in a Turkish lorry trying to cross the Bulgaria-Serbian border. Customs officers have prevented four attempts for illegal heroin trafficking at total amount of 173 kg over the last 20 days.
fredag den 11. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 11, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 11 (BTA)
BULGARIA - EU
The Friday papers give prominence to the main developments during the Brussels visit of a Bulgarian government delegation headed by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
"Troud" reports that Bulgaria will get an extra 300 million euro in compensations for the early shutdown of reactors of the Kozloduy N-plant, if a proposal by European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso gets the European Parliament's approval ("EU Unties Purse for Bulgarian Energy"). That emerged after Barroso's meeting with Prime Minister Borissov. The EC is also ready to consider Bulgaria's plans to build a second N-plant at Belene. The project could get a loan from Euroatom, Barroso said.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek is quoted as saying after meeting the Bulgarian government leader that Bulgaria has made a positive change in fighting corruption and now Europe should help it deal with its pressing problems in the energy sector and with the release of EU funding. According to Buzek, Brussels also sees positive changes in the anti-corruption efforts.
Borissov is quoted to thank the EP and the European institutions for supporting Bulgarian people by resuming suspended funding, and to say that every single euro Bulgaria gets from the EU will be well-protected against misuse.
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" carries an interview with Sofia special prosecutor Bozhidar Djambazov ("12 Cases Start against Previous Power-Holders"). He says that some 20 alerts were received in August for offences in the high corridors of power. Those came from the Ministries of Labour, of Defence, of the Interior and of Regional Development. They were in addition to tipoffs for misuse of power that the Sofia City Prosecution Office gets on a daily basis. "But the intensity of submission of alerts last month was unusual," says the interviewee. He believes that that was due to the normal wish of the new government to make a clean start.
***
In a "Troud" interview, former National Security Service chief Gen. Atanas Atanassov says that the State Agency for National Security (SANS) holds no report on corrupt ministers in the previous government but only a memo on select people in the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). He also says that the Agency's main job has been producing public scandals. "[Former Prime Minister Sergei] Stanishev established SANS not to deal with corruption in his government but to cover it up," he says.
Gen. Atanassov also says that an alert about Valeri Tsvetanov, the Agriculture Minister in the previous government who was the first former minister to be charged (for deterimental land swaps), was sent to the prosecuting magistracy before the July 5 elections. According to Gen. Atanassov, the strategy of Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Ahmed Dogan was to put ethnic Bulgarians on key offices in power, to act as canon fodder, if necessary.
That is a reference to the fact that Tsvetanov was nominated for the position of Agriculture Minister by MRF which is largely seen to be representing ethnic Turks in Bulgaria and which was one of three partner parties in the previous government (together with BSP and the National Movement for Surge and Stability).
***
An analysis in "Sega" says that the anti-mafia officers will be "the real blade" of the new government. Opinions have never converged about the anti-mafia unit of the Interior Ministry and through the years it has been idolized and condemned. It boasted many accomplishments but it also produced grandiose scandals that jolted the state. Former Prime Minister Stanishev did away with it to clear the way for the new SANS. His successor Borissov is doing quite the opposite: by amending the laws on the Interior Ministry and SANS, the anti-mafia service is restored to the position of the government's darling. It will acquire huge powers and will be the government's true blade in the fight against crime, replacing SANS. But before any important steps are made, the powers of the anti-mafia service and control over it need to get serious consideration, the author says.
***
"Standard News" reports the start of an operation by the law-enforcing bodies against corrupt customs and tax officers ("Operation Komar [Mosquito] against Customs Officers"). According to the story, prosecutors and special agents will be checking meticulously the accounts and assets of customs and tax people. They will be looking for possible conflict of interest and also whether their homes and cars match their declared incomes. It is one of 57 emergency measures from an action plan of Justice Minister Margarita Popova for fighting corruption. Such checks will be made on a regular basis. Also, a system for video surveillance will become operational at four key customs offices before December 15. A new agency, Medical Control, will be set up by the Health Ministry before the end of November to hunt for corrupt physicians, "Standard News" says.
***
"Troud" carries a commentary entitled "Bad Time for War of the Institutions in Bulgaria". It recalls that President Georgi Purvanov has convoked a meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) to examine the measures Bulgaria is taking to reform its judiciary, fight crime and corruption, and absorb efficiently EU funding. That happened as the government approved a Justice Ministry action plan of 57 measures. The plan has been presented in Brussels and got its approval as well as a sign that now results are expected. Reporting this action plan to the CCNS now would be too late. It would have made more sense to get the plan approved informally at a working meeting by the President, Prime Minister and Justice Minister, before making it public. "If the institutions genuinely want consensus on the issues and goals of priority for the whole nation, discussing these through the news media is not the way to go," the commentary says.
***
Reporting the results of a National Public Opinion Centre Ppll, "Troud" writes that 90 per cent of Bulgarians are supportive of a review of the former government. The high expectations remain and the first measures taken by the Borissov governmenet get broad support, writes the paper.
ECONOMY
A front-page story in "Pari" announces the end of the war of interest rates. It quotes EIBank CEO Peter Andonov as saying that there is lots of money on the market and banks have nothing to do with it. First interest rates on deposits go down and the interest on credits will follow suit in the hope of attracting more borrowers, according to a poll among bank managers.
***
"Sega" reports that 14 Bulgarian companies, mostly in the energy sector, feature among the Top 500 of most dynamically developing business in Central and Eastern Europe, compiled by Deloitte. The Strongest performer among the Bulgarian businesses is the LUKOil Neftohim oil refinery, followed by the Bulgarian Energy Holding, telecoms operator Mobiltel, Overgas and BTC, to mention but a few.
***
"Troud" reports that the second-quarter GDP contracted by 4.9 per cent year-on-year ("Production Takes 4.9% Dive"). That emerges from official statistics made public Thursday.
***
In a "Pari" interview, former Economy and Energy Minister and now socialist MP Roumen Ovcharov says that halting the project for construction of the Belene N-plant would be a big mistake. "It is a big mistake to stop a project whose efficiency is proven, for whose start a serious preparation has been made, which has got the support of the EU and which involves a major Western strategic investor, RWE, only because you have not taken the trouble to look at its parameters," says Ovcharov.
He believes that the right policy for Bulgaria is "to understand its long-term energy and economic interests based on its geographic location, and to not allow one or another political force to manipulate them in the name of short-term party goals".
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 11, 2009
• Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, publicly admitted that his relations with the country's President are "bad." "My personal relations with a certain person don't matter when this person represents an institution. Our relations are bad as of today, but this does not have any significance regarding the work of the institutions," the PM stated.
• “It is highly likely for Bulgaria to have to return European financing for a total of EUR 32 million on ten road projects under the PHARE program”, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Lilyana Pavlova announced at a news conference.
• Up to the present moment, there are discussions on new legal actions for protection of the state ownership over the over-claimed property by Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said during the Question Time at the parliament.
Sofia, September 11 (BTA)
BULGARIA - EU
The Friday papers give prominence to the main developments during the Brussels visit of a Bulgarian government delegation headed by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
"Troud" reports that Bulgaria will get an extra 300 million euro in compensations for the early shutdown of reactors of the Kozloduy N-plant, if a proposal by European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso gets the European Parliament's approval ("EU Unties Purse for Bulgarian Energy"). That emerged after Barroso's meeting with Prime Minister Borissov. The EC is also ready to consider Bulgaria's plans to build a second N-plant at Belene. The project could get a loan from Euroatom, Barroso said.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek is quoted as saying after meeting the Bulgarian government leader that Bulgaria has made a positive change in fighting corruption and now Europe should help it deal with its pressing problems in the energy sector and with the release of EU funding. According to Buzek, Brussels also sees positive changes in the anti-corruption efforts.
Borissov is quoted to thank the EP and the European institutions for supporting Bulgarian people by resuming suspended funding, and to say that every single euro Bulgaria gets from the EU will be well-protected against misuse.
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" carries an interview with Sofia special prosecutor Bozhidar Djambazov ("12 Cases Start against Previous Power-Holders"). He says that some 20 alerts were received in August for offences in the high corridors of power. Those came from the Ministries of Labour, of Defence, of the Interior and of Regional Development. They were in addition to tipoffs for misuse of power that the Sofia City Prosecution Office gets on a daily basis. "But the intensity of submission of alerts last month was unusual," says the interviewee. He believes that that was due to the normal wish of the new government to make a clean start.
***
In a "Troud" interview, former National Security Service chief Gen. Atanas Atanassov says that the State Agency for National Security (SANS) holds no report on corrupt ministers in the previous government but only a memo on select people in the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). He also says that the Agency's main job has been producing public scandals. "[Former Prime Minister Sergei] Stanishev established SANS not to deal with corruption in his government but to cover it up," he says.
Gen. Atanassov also says that an alert about Valeri Tsvetanov, the Agriculture Minister in the previous government who was the first former minister to be charged (for deterimental land swaps), was sent to the prosecuting magistracy before the July 5 elections. According to Gen. Atanassov, the strategy of Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Ahmed Dogan was to put ethnic Bulgarians on key offices in power, to act as canon fodder, if necessary.
That is a reference to the fact that Tsvetanov was nominated for the position of Agriculture Minister by MRF which is largely seen to be representing ethnic Turks in Bulgaria and which was one of three partner parties in the previous government (together with BSP and the National Movement for Surge and Stability).
***
An analysis in "Sega" says that the anti-mafia officers will be "the real blade" of the new government. Opinions have never converged about the anti-mafia unit of the Interior Ministry and through the years it has been idolized and condemned. It boasted many accomplishments but it also produced grandiose scandals that jolted the state. Former Prime Minister Stanishev did away with it to clear the way for the new SANS. His successor Borissov is doing quite the opposite: by amending the laws on the Interior Ministry and SANS, the anti-mafia service is restored to the position of the government's darling. It will acquire huge powers and will be the government's true blade in the fight against crime, replacing SANS. But before any important steps are made, the powers of the anti-mafia service and control over it need to get serious consideration, the author says.
***
"Standard News" reports the start of an operation by the law-enforcing bodies against corrupt customs and tax officers ("Operation Komar [Mosquito] against Customs Officers"). According to the story, prosecutors and special agents will be checking meticulously the accounts and assets of customs and tax people. They will be looking for possible conflict of interest and also whether their homes and cars match their declared incomes. It is one of 57 emergency measures from an action plan of Justice Minister Margarita Popova for fighting corruption. Such checks will be made on a regular basis. Also, a system for video surveillance will become operational at four key customs offices before December 15. A new agency, Medical Control, will be set up by the Health Ministry before the end of November to hunt for corrupt physicians, "Standard News" says.
***
"Troud" carries a commentary entitled "Bad Time for War of the Institutions in Bulgaria". It recalls that President Georgi Purvanov has convoked a meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) to examine the measures Bulgaria is taking to reform its judiciary, fight crime and corruption, and absorb efficiently EU funding. That happened as the government approved a Justice Ministry action plan of 57 measures. The plan has been presented in Brussels and got its approval as well as a sign that now results are expected. Reporting this action plan to the CCNS now would be too late. It would have made more sense to get the plan approved informally at a working meeting by the President, Prime Minister and Justice Minister, before making it public. "If the institutions genuinely want consensus on the issues and goals of priority for the whole nation, discussing these through the news media is not the way to go," the commentary says.
***
Reporting the results of a National Public Opinion Centre Ppll, "Troud" writes that 90 per cent of Bulgarians are supportive of a review of the former government. The high expectations remain and the first measures taken by the Borissov governmenet get broad support, writes the paper.
ECONOMY
A front-page story in "Pari" announces the end of the war of interest rates. It quotes EIBank CEO Peter Andonov as saying that there is lots of money on the market and banks have nothing to do with it. First interest rates on deposits go down and the interest on credits will follow suit in the hope of attracting more borrowers, according to a poll among bank managers.
***
"Sega" reports that 14 Bulgarian companies, mostly in the energy sector, feature among the Top 500 of most dynamically developing business in Central and Eastern Europe, compiled by Deloitte. The Strongest performer among the Bulgarian businesses is the LUKOil Neftohim oil refinery, followed by the Bulgarian Energy Holding, telecoms operator Mobiltel, Overgas and BTC, to mention but a few.
***
"Troud" reports that the second-quarter GDP contracted by 4.9 per cent year-on-year ("Production Takes 4.9% Dive"). That emerges from official statistics made public Thursday.
***
In a "Pari" interview, former Economy and Energy Minister and now socialist MP Roumen Ovcharov says that halting the project for construction of the Belene N-plant would be a big mistake. "It is a big mistake to stop a project whose efficiency is proven, for whose start a serious preparation has been made, which has got the support of the EU and which involves a major Western strategic investor, RWE, only because you have not taken the trouble to look at its parameters," says Ovcharov.
He believes that the right policy for Bulgaria is "to understand its long-term energy and economic interests based on its geographic location, and to not allow one or another political force to manipulate them in the name of short-term party goals".
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 11, 2009
• Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, publicly admitted that his relations with the country's President are "bad." "My personal relations with a certain person don't matter when this person represents an institution. Our relations are bad as of today, but this does not have any significance regarding the work of the institutions," the PM stated.
• “It is highly likely for Bulgaria to have to return European financing for a total of EUR 32 million on ten road projects under the PHARE program”, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Lilyana Pavlova announced at a news conference.
• Up to the present moment, there are discussions on new legal actions for protection of the state ownership over the over-claimed property by Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said during the Question Time at the parliament.
torsdag den 10. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 10, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 10 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"Sega" writes that the government has declared 120 days of total mobilization against the Mafia. The cabinet believes it can regain the EU's trust by speeding up trials and by conducting massive checks on rich people with a dubious business record.
"Dnevnik" lists measures planned by the Justice Ministry, including continuous checks on owners of assets worth over 500,000 leva, tax and customs officers; inspections of shops selling excisable goods; and checks on teachers suspected of giving private lessons. The government adopted the 57-point plan for the fight against corruption and crime on Wednesday in response to criticisms in the European Commission's latest report. Tasks and deadlines are set to individuals and the expected effect is specified. The plan will be submitted to Brussels. The measures must be implemented by the year's end, and an EC mission is expected to check on progress in early December.
***
Rumiana Buchvarova, Chef de Cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, says that President Georgi Purvanov will not influence the cabinet's policy. Meeting with Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin, Borissov showed realism and leadership, Buchvarova says.
An opinion piece in "Dnevnik" reacts to Purvanov's article "Pragmatism and leadership are needed in the energy strategy and policy" published on Tuesday. The writer asks: "Can you remember when Purvanov publicly criticized the former Prime Minister [Sergei Stanishev]? This did not happen when the EU blocked funding over well-nurtured and well-guarded corruption. It did not happen when, nearing the end of its term, the Stanishev cabinet was forking out public money [Е]." The writer also notes that the article was posted on Purvanov's website the day before Borissov's first visit to Brussels, preceded by news that SAPARD funding would be unblocked. On the next day, Purvanov decided to convene the Consultative Council on National Security for a discussion of the implementation of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and of improvements in the absorption of EU funds, which he did not do when EU money was blocked. The person who vindicated the Stanishev cabinet by saying that Bulgaria became hostage to the European Parliament elections is now magnifying a problem which is being tackled more or less successfully. "This is more than arrogance. What we have here are circles isolated by our Euro-Atlantic partners that will continue causing harm," Lyuboslava Rousseva says in "Dnevnik".
The President is concerned about things that are not happening, about what is presented to the public as opinions and intentions without first-hand knowledge of the energy projects, former economy and energy minister Roumen Ovcharov says in a "Troud" interview. He voices concern that the President was the first to show competence on the matter - energy projects - in the last two months. Ovcharov says that, strangely, the state leader seems to be playing the role of a minister or a manager of a large energy company, who explains technological details of the major energy projects. Obviously no one else is up to this task, Ovcharov concludes.
An analysis in "Troud" says Bulgaria would win from the clash between Purvanov and Borissov if it turned into a competition of ideas about the future and not into a destructive war.
***
In "24 Chassa", Kalina Ilieva, Director of the Agriculture Fund, says that when she took office it emerged that 10,000 projects had been submitted but only 2,500 had been finalized. Due to improved organization, 1,415 projects have been finalized under the Young Farmer Measure alone in the last three weeks. Contracts are to be signed in a matter of days.
***
Over 3,000 people mourned the victims of the boat accident on Lake Ohrid, "Troud" writes. The 15 victims were buried on Wednesday.
FOREIGN POLICY
"24 Chassa" quotes European People's Party (EPP) President Wilfried Martens as saying that the new Bulgarian EU commissioner should be from GERB. He reportedly told Bulgarian National Radio that Meglena Kuneva is a very competent commissioner indeed, but the EC is an expert body as well as a political body. That is why Martens said he believed that Bulgaria, which now has a centre-right government, should appoint a person who belongs to the EPP political family. Borissov is expected to nominate Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva to the EC, says "24 Chassa".
"Troud" writes that Bulgaria will try to extend the deadline for absorption of problematic EU money for infrastructure and the environment and to wring out a further 300 million euro in compensation for the closure of units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The daily quotes government members who are visiting Brussels. "24 Chassa" says that the EC would be ready to continue paying compensation for the closure of Kozloduy's units three and four but is short of money. Energy Minister Traicho Traikov met with Matthias Ruete, Director General of the EC's DG Transport and Energy, and said that Brussels would announce in a month if it had found reserves in the crisis response package.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"Troud" devotes two pages to magistrates' suggestions about tapping the US experience in the fight against lengthy trials. All moot points should be cleared out before the trial. The prosecutor and the defence should put their cards on the table and the judge should decide if he or she will hear the case. If the court decides that there will be a trial, no one should have the right to raise already rejected objections or cite them as a reason for termination or adjournment. The magistrates also want special surveillance means to be used in uncovering money laundering.
THE ECONOMY
The credit crunch has eased and lending interest is going down, "Troud" writes, quoting consulting firm Credit Centre. It said that the average consumer credit reached 11,369 leva in August, up from 8,462 leva in the first half of the year. The largest consumer loan is 15,000 euro, while customers, mostly with medium to high incomes, usually ask for about 10,000 euro. The consultants say that it is mostly people with monthly incomes ranging between 1,500 leva and 2,000 leva that take out home loans.
***
"Klassa" writes that Bulgaria is fourth along with New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States in access to corporate loans according to the World Bank's ranking of the countries where it is easiest to do business. However, Bulgaria slid two notches from 2008, from 42nd to 44th place among 183 countries, and placed between Armenia and Botswana in the general ranking.
***
"24 Chassa" publishes a transcript from a November 2, 2006 meeting of the Stanishev cabinet headlined "Stanishev: Mr Ovcharov, please make sure the State retains its 51 per cent stake!" The same daily has interviewed tourism boss Georgi Gergov. A week ago Economy Minister Traicho Traikov ordered a check on the International Fair Plovdiv, in which the State lost its majority stake and the company became controlled by Gergov. He asks why the State, which is a shareholder, is harming the company's image.
***
Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is 99th among 1,058 leading economic and financial experts worldwide in the annual rankings of the University of Connecticut's Department of Economics. Djankov is co-author of ten articles written by first-ranked Harvard Professor Andrei Schleifer.
***
Bulgarian National Radio Director Valerii Todorov says in "24 Chassa" that the scores of a march and a waltz written by Johann Strauss respectively for Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria's coronation and wedding have been found in Vienna.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 9, 2009
• One Bulgarian citizen has been killed in the flash floods triggered by torrential rains in northwestern Turkey. Another one has been declared missing - later on he has been found safe.
• The Director of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, Jean-Luc Demarty announced at a meeting with Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov that he has signed the payments under SAPARD program. Practically this will start the disbursement of blocked funds under the program worth millions of euros.
• A 32-year-old employee of the National Revenue Agency was caught with a bribe of BGN 20 000 in a special operation of the State National Security Agency DANS and the Prosecutor's Office.
• A three-years old child died after drinking a solution of methadone in Sofia. According to the initial data the methadone belongs to his mother who is drug addicted.
Sofia, September 10 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"Sega" writes that the government has declared 120 days of total mobilization against the Mafia. The cabinet believes it can regain the EU's trust by speeding up trials and by conducting massive checks on rich people with a dubious business record.
"Dnevnik" lists measures planned by the Justice Ministry, including continuous checks on owners of assets worth over 500,000 leva, tax and customs officers; inspections of shops selling excisable goods; and checks on teachers suspected of giving private lessons. The government adopted the 57-point plan for the fight against corruption and crime on Wednesday in response to criticisms in the European Commission's latest report. Tasks and deadlines are set to individuals and the expected effect is specified. The plan will be submitted to Brussels. The measures must be implemented by the year's end, and an EC mission is expected to check on progress in early December.
***
Rumiana Buchvarova, Chef de Cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, says that President Georgi Purvanov will not influence the cabinet's policy. Meeting with Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin, Borissov showed realism and leadership, Buchvarova says.
An opinion piece in "Dnevnik" reacts to Purvanov's article "Pragmatism and leadership are needed in the energy strategy and policy" published on Tuesday. The writer asks: "Can you remember when Purvanov publicly criticized the former Prime Minister [Sergei Stanishev]? This did not happen when the EU blocked funding over well-nurtured and well-guarded corruption. It did not happen when, nearing the end of its term, the Stanishev cabinet was forking out public money [Е]." The writer also notes that the article was posted on Purvanov's website the day before Borissov's first visit to Brussels, preceded by news that SAPARD funding would be unblocked. On the next day, Purvanov decided to convene the Consultative Council on National Security for a discussion of the implementation of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and of improvements in the absorption of EU funds, which he did not do when EU money was blocked. The person who vindicated the Stanishev cabinet by saying that Bulgaria became hostage to the European Parliament elections is now magnifying a problem which is being tackled more or less successfully. "This is more than arrogance. What we have here are circles isolated by our Euro-Atlantic partners that will continue causing harm," Lyuboslava Rousseva says in "Dnevnik".
The President is concerned about things that are not happening, about what is presented to the public as opinions and intentions without first-hand knowledge of the energy projects, former economy and energy minister Roumen Ovcharov says in a "Troud" interview. He voices concern that the President was the first to show competence on the matter - energy projects - in the last two months. Ovcharov says that, strangely, the state leader seems to be playing the role of a minister or a manager of a large energy company, who explains technological details of the major energy projects. Obviously no one else is up to this task, Ovcharov concludes.
An analysis in "Troud" says Bulgaria would win from the clash between Purvanov and Borissov if it turned into a competition of ideas about the future and not into a destructive war.
***
In "24 Chassa", Kalina Ilieva, Director of the Agriculture Fund, says that when she took office it emerged that 10,000 projects had been submitted but only 2,500 had been finalized. Due to improved organization, 1,415 projects have been finalized under the Young Farmer Measure alone in the last three weeks. Contracts are to be signed in a matter of days.
***
Over 3,000 people mourned the victims of the boat accident on Lake Ohrid, "Troud" writes. The 15 victims were buried on Wednesday.
FOREIGN POLICY
"24 Chassa" quotes European People's Party (EPP) President Wilfried Martens as saying that the new Bulgarian EU commissioner should be from GERB. He reportedly told Bulgarian National Radio that Meglena Kuneva is a very competent commissioner indeed, but the EC is an expert body as well as a political body. That is why Martens said he believed that Bulgaria, which now has a centre-right government, should appoint a person who belongs to the EPP political family. Borissov is expected to nominate Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva to the EC, says "24 Chassa".
"Troud" writes that Bulgaria will try to extend the deadline for absorption of problematic EU money for infrastructure and the environment and to wring out a further 300 million euro in compensation for the closure of units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The daily quotes government members who are visiting Brussels. "24 Chassa" says that the EC would be ready to continue paying compensation for the closure of Kozloduy's units three and four but is short of money. Energy Minister Traicho Traikov met with Matthias Ruete, Director General of the EC's DG Transport and Energy, and said that Brussels would announce in a month if it had found reserves in the crisis response package.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"Troud" devotes two pages to magistrates' suggestions about tapping the US experience in the fight against lengthy trials. All moot points should be cleared out before the trial. The prosecutor and the defence should put their cards on the table and the judge should decide if he or she will hear the case. If the court decides that there will be a trial, no one should have the right to raise already rejected objections or cite them as a reason for termination or adjournment. The magistrates also want special surveillance means to be used in uncovering money laundering.
THE ECONOMY
The credit crunch has eased and lending interest is going down, "Troud" writes, quoting consulting firm Credit Centre. It said that the average consumer credit reached 11,369 leva in August, up from 8,462 leva in the first half of the year. The largest consumer loan is 15,000 euro, while customers, mostly with medium to high incomes, usually ask for about 10,000 euro. The consultants say that it is mostly people with monthly incomes ranging between 1,500 leva and 2,000 leva that take out home loans.
***
"Klassa" writes that Bulgaria is fourth along with New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States in access to corporate loans according to the World Bank's ranking of the countries where it is easiest to do business. However, Bulgaria slid two notches from 2008, from 42nd to 44th place among 183 countries, and placed between Armenia and Botswana in the general ranking.
***
"24 Chassa" publishes a transcript from a November 2, 2006 meeting of the Stanishev cabinet headlined "Stanishev: Mr Ovcharov, please make sure the State retains its 51 per cent stake!" The same daily has interviewed tourism boss Georgi Gergov. A week ago Economy Minister Traicho Traikov ordered a check on the International Fair Plovdiv, in which the State lost its majority stake and the company became controlled by Gergov. He asks why the State, which is a shareholder, is harming the company's image.
***
Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is 99th among 1,058 leading economic and financial experts worldwide in the annual rankings of the University of Connecticut's Department of Economics. Djankov is co-author of ten articles written by first-ranked Harvard Professor Andrei Schleifer.
***
Bulgarian National Radio Director Valerii Todorov says in "24 Chassa" that the scores of a march and a waltz written by Johann Strauss respectively for Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria's coronation and wedding have been found in Vienna.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 9, 2009
• One Bulgarian citizen has been killed in the flash floods triggered by torrential rains in northwestern Turkey. Another one has been declared missing - later on he has been found safe.
• The Director of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, Jean-Luc Demarty announced at a meeting with Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov that he has signed the payments under SAPARD program. Practically this will start the disbursement of blocked funds under the program worth millions of euros.
• A 32-year-old employee of the National Revenue Agency was caught with a bribe of BGN 20 000 in a special operation of the State National Security Agency DANS and the Prosecutor's Office.
• A three-years old child died after drinking a solution of methadone in Sofia. According to the initial data the methadone belongs to his mother who is drug addicted.
onsdag den 9. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 9, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 9 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
Forty-four days after the GERB cabinet was sworn in, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President Georgi Purvanov clashed openly after Purvanov posted an article on his website, dwelling on energy and the government's energy policy. "Troud" runs it under the headline "Borissov Was Obviously Unprepared for Meeting with Putin". Purvanov says that there needs to be continuity in the energy strategy and policy of Bulgaria. "An imbalanced, slow and ill-grounded Bulgarian policy could result in Bulgaria being bypassed by these projects," Purvanov says. The President goes on to say that the dynamics of Bulgaria energy policy should be kept and that he finds the government inconsistent positions and messages about the future of the Belene N-plant and nuclear power energy bewildering. The President concludes that there is a shortage of competence on the part of the new government with regards to Bulgaria's energy policy. In an interview for "Troud", Prime Minister Borissov hits back at Purvanov's accusations, describing them as "coming out of pure spite". Borissov, visibly upset, speaks of his disappointment at Purvanov's remarks and says that he will not meet him unless the President apologizes. Later, the government information service released Borissov's position, which says that "After so many years in politics and in power, President Georgi Purvanov has obviously understood at last that the time has come for leadership and pragmatism. Such is the assessment of the new government from the EU, with the unfreezing of funding under the SAPARD programme, and from the Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin."
***
"A Stanishev Minister Charged With 15 Land Swaps,", writes "24 Chassa". The former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov is the first minister from the Stanishev cabinet to be formally charged over 15 illegal swaps of state-owned land. During the interview at the National Investigative Service Tsvetanov said that he did not feel guilty. He has been put on subscription, the laxest of all restraint measures. The former chairman of the State Forestry Agency Stefan Yuroukov was also charged because of disadvantageous transactions resulting in considerable
damages.
***
In an in interview for "Telegraph", Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov reveals record-setting abuse in three ministries. In five weeks 30 alerts about financial irregularities at ministries and agencies were submitted at his office. The largest abuse took place in the ministries of defence, transport and agriculture. The Ministry of Defence is being probed over an order for catalogues of military flags. The Ministry of Health is also being checked over irregularities with the delivery of aids for the disabled and the information system on cancer patients.
***
"Troud" quotes Defence Minister Nickolay Mladenov as saying that only administrative staff and not military personnel will be laid off. Mladenov has announced a plan to cut 65 million leva in spending, but the scheme will leave pay unchanged. He explains that before any cuts take place, everyone's performance will be carefully reviewed and their abilities and loyalty to the ministry will be proven. However, the Minister warned that the leadership of the ministry will not allow its policy "to be torpedoed".
***
"Troud" runs a commentary, which praises the timely reaction of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his cabinet in the wake of the September 5 incident, when 15 Bulgarians drowned in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. "Whether this is the dawn of more rational political times, filled with less hatred, or a one-off, Borissov should carry on the momentum to implement a better government."
ECONOMY
"24 Chassa" reports that Bulgaria abandoned investigating money laundering 18 months ago. Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told reporters that he is going to set up an agency under his ministry which will fight financial abuse. Eighteen months ago Bulgaria stopped watching money laundering and cash flows in and out of the country after the Financial Intelligence Agency became part of the State Agency for National Security and was barred access to data from commercial banks, explained Djankov. On Monday, Djankov's team announced structural changes to the Finance Ministry. The ministry's staff will be reduced by 98 people and the organization structure will be streamlined. However, the debt collection agency will not be merging with the National Revenue Agency.
***
"Troud" reports that seven state-owned companies have abused millions of leva. Economy Minister Traicho Traikov disclosed on Monday that six officers with his ministry's department managing EU funding for an operational programme for competitiveness have failed to declare the conflict of interest they were in. Traikov recalled that the offence carries a sentence of up to three years in prison upon conviction.
***
"Sega" gives prominence to a decision to close the labour market to foreign workers. Social Minister Totyu Mladenov announced on Monday that Bulgaria is restricting employment possibilities for non-EU workers to a minimum due to the economic crisis and rising unemployment. Mladenov dismissed reports that there is a shortage of skilled workers, as more and more Bulgarian emigrants are returning or planning to return, which is why the government will be amending the regulations for hiring workers from outside the EU bloc.
***
"Troud" writes that a gas CEO will be put in charge of energy prices. Angel Semerdjiev, executive director of state-owned Bulgartransgaz, will be named to the chairmanship of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, according to Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov. The term of the present chairman, Konstantin Shoushoulov, is expiring September 10.
BULGARIA-EU
Interviewed by "Standart News", Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov says that Bulgaria stands to receive 90 million euro by the end of 2009. After his meeting with EU Commissioner for
Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel, Naydenov is certain that a 100 per cent of SAPARD funds will be unblocked. Nineteen million euro will be restored, paid for projects in 2008, and another 90 million will be unblocked, which Bulgaria can absorb by the end of 2009. According to Naydenov, there is no shortage of projects and as long as they comply with all requirements, a payment procedure can start.
***
"Troud" reports that 83,000 dairy farms have avoided closure after the European Commission granted a two-year extension of the period to complete the transition to EU hygiene standards. Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov had requested a 18-month extension in Brussels, but the EC gave Bulgaria and Romania 24 months. Only 3,000 Bulgarian farms meet the EU requirements. However, more than 83,000 dairy farms failed to secure investments and make the grade and faced closure in early 2010. Minister Naydenov said he relied on a technical assistance from the EU.
SOCIETY
In an interview for "Troud", opera prima Raina Kabaivanska says that today there is a lot more stress and that competition is fiercer. "First and foremost you have to be a master of technique, to know how to control your body and voice, which in turn will allow you to own the stage. Today's singers must know the music, be artists and also be good-looking," Kabaivanska adds.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 9, 2009
• Prime Minister Boyko Borisov starts his first visit to Brussels, accompanied by 7 ministers.
• Bulgarian government has passed the 57 measures in the field of justice and home affairs, which were marked down after the European Commission criticisms, Minister of Justice Margarita Popova said.
• The Bulgarian government has stated that it will give BGN 10 000 to each of the families of the 15 Bulgarians who were killed in the Ilinden boat tragedy in Macedonia on Saturday.
• Pardoning of Liverpool fan Michael Shields is in the competency of the Justice Secretary of UK Jack Straw. However institutions must be respected – both the British ones and Bulgarian ones and if there had been any new evidences they must be submitted to the Bulgarian court. This is what former MEP judge Dushana Zdravkova.
Sofia, September 9 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
Forty-four days after the GERB cabinet was sworn in, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President Georgi Purvanov clashed openly after Purvanov posted an article on his website, dwelling on energy and the government's energy policy. "Troud" runs it under the headline "Borissov Was Obviously Unprepared for Meeting with Putin". Purvanov says that there needs to be continuity in the energy strategy and policy of Bulgaria. "An imbalanced, slow and ill-grounded Bulgarian policy could result in Bulgaria being bypassed by these projects," Purvanov says. The President goes on to say that the dynamics of Bulgaria energy policy should be kept and that he finds the government inconsistent positions and messages about the future of the Belene N-plant and nuclear power energy bewildering. The President concludes that there is a shortage of competence on the part of the new government with regards to Bulgaria's energy policy. In an interview for "Troud", Prime Minister Borissov hits back at Purvanov's accusations, describing them as "coming out of pure spite". Borissov, visibly upset, speaks of his disappointment at Purvanov's remarks and says that he will not meet him unless the President apologizes. Later, the government information service released Borissov's position, which says that "After so many years in politics and in power, President Georgi Purvanov has obviously understood at last that the time has come for leadership and pragmatism. Such is the assessment of the new government from the EU, with the unfreezing of funding under the SAPARD programme, and from the Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin."
***
"A Stanishev Minister Charged With 15 Land Swaps,", writes "24 Chassa". The former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov is the first minister from the Stanishev cabinet to be formally charged over 15 illegal swaps of state-owned land. During the interview at the National Investigative Service Tsvetanov said that he did not feel guilty. He has been put on subscription, the laxest of all restraint measures. The former chairman of the State Forestry Agency Stefan Yuroukov was also charged because of disadvantageous transactions resulting in considerable
damages.
***
In an in interview for "Telegraph", Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov reveals record-setting abuse in three ministries. In five weeks 30 alerts about financial irregularities at ministries and agencies were submitted at his office. The largest abuse took place in the ministries of defence, transport and agriculture. The Ministry of Defence is being probed over an order for catalogues of military flags. The Ministry of Health is also being checked over irregularities with the delivery of aids for the disabled and the information system on cancer patients.
***
"Troud" quotes Defence Minister Nickolay Mladenov as saying that only administrative staff and not military personnel will be laid off. Mladenov has announced a plan to cut 65 million leva in spending, but the scheme will leave pay unchanged. He explains that before any cuts take place, everyone's performance will be carefully reviewed and their abilities and loyalty to the ministry will be proven. However, the Minister warned that the leadership of the ministry will not allow its policy "to be torpedoed".
***
"Troud" runs a commentary, which praises the timely reaction of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his cabinet in the wake of the September 5 incident, when 15 Bulgarians drowned in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. "Whether this is the dawn of more rational political times, filled with less hatred, or a one-off, Borissov should carry on the momentum to implement a better government."
ECONOMY
"24 Chassa" reports that Bulgaria abandoned investigating money laundering 18 months ago. Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told reporters that he is going to set up an agency under his ministry which will fight financial abuse. Eighteen months ago Bulgaria stopped watching money laundering and cash flows in and out of the country after the Financial Intelligence Agency became part of the State Agency for National Security and was barred access to data from commercial banks, explained Djankov. On Monday, Djankov's team announced structural changes to the Finance Ministry. The ministry's staff will be reduced by 98 people and the organization structure will be streamlined. However, the debt collection agency will not be merging with the National Revenue Agency.
***
"Troud" reports that seven state-owned companies have abused millions of leva. Economy Minister Traicho Traikov disclosed on Monday that six officers with his ministry's department managing EU funding for an operational programme for competitiveness have failed to declare the conflict of interest they were in. Traikov recalled that the offence carries a sentence of up to three years in prison upon conviction.
***
"Sega" gives prominence to a decision to close the labour market to foreign workers. Social Minister Totyu Mladenov announced on Monday that Bulgaria is restricting employment possibilities for non-EU workers to a minimum due to the economic crisis and rising unemployment. Mladenov dismissed reports that there is a shortage of skilled workers, as more and more Bulgarian emigrants are returning or planning to return, which is why the government will be amending the regulations for hiring workers from outside the EU bloc.
***
"Troud" writes that a gas CEO will be put in charge of energy prices. Angel Semerdjiev, executive director of state-owned Bulgartransgaz, will be named to the chairmanship of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, according to Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov. The term of the present chairman, Konstantin Shoushoulov, is expiring September 10.
BULGARIA-EU
Interviewed by "Standart News", Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov says that Bulgaria stands to receive 90 million euro by the end of 2009. After his meeting with EU Commissioner for
Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel, Naydenov is certain that a 100 per cent of SAPARD funds will be unblocked. Nineteen million euro will be restored, paid for projects in 2008, and another 90 million will be unblocked, which Bulgaria can absorb by the end of 2009. According to Naydenov, there is no shortage of projects and as long as they comply with all requirements, a payment procedure can start.
***
"Troud" reports that 83,000 dairy farms have avoided closure after the European Commission granted a two-year extension of the period to complete the transition to EU hygiene standards. Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov had requested a 18-month extension in Brussels, but the EC gave Bulgaria and Romania 24 months. Only 3,000 Bulgarian farms meet the EU requirements. However, more than 83,000 dairy farms failed to secure investments and make the grade and faced closure in early 2010. Minister Naydenov said he relied on a technical assistance from the EU.
SOCIETY
In an interview for "Troud", opera prima Raina Kabaivanska says that today there is a lot more stress and that competition is fiercer. "First and foremost you have to be a master of technique, to know how to control your body and voice, which in turn will allow you to own the stage. Today's singers must know the music, be artists and also be good-looking," Kabaivanska adds.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 9, 2009
• Prime Minister Boyko Borisov starts his first visit to Brussels, accompanied by 7 ministers.
• Bulgarian government has passed the 57 measures in the field of justice and home affairs, which were marked down after the European Commission criticisms, Minister of Justice Margarita Popova said.
• The Bulgarian government has stated that it will give BGN 10 000 to each of the families of the 15 Bulgarians who were killed in the Ilinden boat tragedy in Macedonia on Saturday.
• Pardoning of Liverpool fan Michael Shields is in the competency of the Justice Secretary of UK Jack Straw. However institutions must be respected – both the British ones and Bulgarian ones and if there had been any new evidences they must be submitted to the Bulgarian court. This is what former MEP judge Dushana Zdravkova.
tirsdag den 8. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 8, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 8 (BTA)
BULGARIA-EU
"Dnevink" informs that the Justice Ministry has planned 57 steps acting on 21 European Commission recommendations regarding Justice and Home Affairs. Justice Minister Margarita Popova spoke about the measures after meeting with the EU ambassadors on Monday. The action plan contains two sections: judicial reform and counteracting organized crime and corruption. The plan will have to be implemented within three or four months.
The implementation schedule will be tabled for approval at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, so that the measures can be presented during the forthcoming first visit to Brussels of Boyko Borissov in his capacity as Prime Minister. Popova tells "Dnevnik" that it may prove that not all EU recommendations will entail legal amendments but that it must be clear that constant monitoring is in place.
Commenting the topic, "Troud" says in a leading report that three permanent special units are being set up, one each for counteracting misuse of EU funding, high-level corruption and organized crime. "Troud" also notes that changes are likely in the forfeiture of property acquired by criminal means. The daily quotes Popova as saying that the model of the old Property Act where unaccounted for incomes could be taken without a court sentence, was a good one.
"All Unaccounted for Riches Confiscated" caps a front-page report on the topic in "24 Chassa". The new thing in the latest measures is that they will not only target suspected bandits but also politicians, business people, and members of the public who cannot prove their incomes. "Klassa" says that illegally acquired property will be confiscated without a court ruling. "Telegraph" and "Monitor" writes that property of criminals will be taken without court rulings.
* * *
All of the Tuesday dailies inform of the decision due on September 10 of the European Commission on whether or not to unblock 140 million euros in frozen funding for Bulgaria under SAPARD, the pre-accession instrument for agriculture and rural development.
Quoting Agriculture and Foods Minister Miroslav Naydenov, "Zemya" writes that 19 million euros form the blocked funding under SAPARD will be released once the procedural steps are completed. Another 90 million euros as potential subsidies remain too, and Sofia has until the end of the year to apply for them, or otherwise, lose them, "Standart News" says.
* * *
"Troud" says that at the first big EU exam Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who departs to Brussels shortly, will ask the EU to give a chance to the new government of Bulgaria to prove that it can cope with corruption and with the management of EU funds. The trump card of the visit may well prove the charges that are to be pressed Wednesday against former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov, "Troud" writes. "Telegraph" says in a front-page headline that Tsvetanov is being taken to court.
* * *
Professor Steve Hanke writes in a report in "Troud" that he had warned President Peter Stoyanov (1997-2002) that corruption is Bulgaria's biggest weakness back in the time when the economist was Stoyanov's advisor. Hanke says that in June 2000 he insisted on the conduct of a strong anti-corruption campaign but unfortunately, not a single Bulgarian government launched such a campaign, which, according to the expert, is the reason why the poverty index of the Bulgarian economy has still so high values. Hanke says Bulgaria has to cover a lot of in this direction because it ranks 45th among 181 countries in the Doing Business 2009 report of the World Bank.
ECONOMY
"Dnevnik" informs of a new bill on consumer loans currently in the making which will require a fee for early repayment of such loans if their interest is fixed. The fee is expected to be between 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent depending on the term of the loan.
* * *
"Sega" writes that banks have started to reduce lending rates, although very cautiously, by between 0.25 per cent to 2 per cent. For the time being this is evident only with regard to newly approved mortgages loans, the report says.
* * *
Deputy Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission Neno Pavlov tells "Dnevink" that reducing the personal contribution for retirement will harm the pension system.
ENERGY
"Klassa" runs an interview with Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov who says that the cabinet will reduce the state stake in the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant. Traichev says that during a recent visit to the Kozloduy n-plant energy workers raised the questions of building a new generating unit, which will be the seventh reactor, in it. The Minister thinks this is an attractive option given that the infrastructure is already there, "Douma" writes in a front-page report on the topic.
French State Secretary for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche gives an interview to "Troud" capped, "Belene Nuclear Power Plant May Become Model". The French official says that the Bulgarian cabinet should decide by itself on its strategy in the area of energy. He says that with its 62 reactors and 80 per cent of energy from nuclear sources, France has a favourable attitude towards the rapid development of nuclear energy in Europe. Lellouche says that combining Russian technology which offers reactors in the medium size (1,000 MW) with French technology for the control rooms, makes it possible to provide the best possible equipment for new nuclear power plants, as is seen everywhere today in Eastern and Central Europe.
Former economy minister Peter Dimitrov tells "Douma" that giving up on the project for the Belene n-plant will be against Bulgaria.
DEADLY ACCIDENT IN LAKE OHRID
The newspapers continue to follow the developments after the September 5 deadly accident in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia which killed 15 Bulgarians. In a front-page story "Troud" says that the victims drowned for just five minutes. The report goes on to quote Bulgarian Tourist Chamber Chairman Tsvetan Tonchev who told a news conference on Monday that some 800 tour operators are officially registered and as many are operating in the grey economy.
Interviewed by "24 Chassa" Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev says that Bulgaria will pay for the treatment in the hospital in Ohrid of the Bulgarian tourists who sustained injuries during the accident. The daily also interviews Transport Minister Aleksandar Tsvetanov who says that the captain of the deadly tourist boat is fully responsible for the the fact that the vessel was overloaded.
"Dnevnik" writes that "sparks flew" between President Georgi Purvanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov over the management of crisis situations. Borissov indirectly accused the President for the delay of the return flight of a Bulgarian aircraft the Prime Minister had sent to Ohrid to help the survivors of the deadly accident and take them home.
SOCIETY
"Klassa" reports on a donation by Japan of specialized equipment for the conservation and restoration workshops, equipment for a photo workshop and audio-video equipment to the National Art Gallery in Sofia, worth 345,000 euros. On Monday Japanese Ambassador here Tsuneharu Takeda and Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva exchanged agreements on the donation.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 8, 2009
• Bulgaria's budget deficit has reduced five times to BGN 105 M in August from BGN 564,3 M in July, the finance minister Simeon Djankov announced confirming earlier reports.
• Former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov has been summoned for interrogation at the National Investigation Service, deputy city prosecutor of Sofia Roman Vasilev announced. Former chairperson of the State Forestry Agency Stefan Yurukov has been summoned, too.
There is a pre-court proceeding initiated against Valeri Tsvetanov, on which the work of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office is still underway.
• Some Romany people started throwing stones at police officers in the Gorno Ezerovo residential district in coastal town of Burgas. The reason for the aggression is still not know and there is no information whether any of the police officers got hurt.
Sofia, September 8 (BTA)
BULGARIA-EU
"Dnevink" informs that the Justice Ministry has planned 57 steps acting on 21 European Commission recommendations regarding Justice and Home Affairs. Justice Minister Margarita Popova spoke about the measures after meeting with the EU ambassadors on Monday. The action plan contains two sections: judicial reform and counteracting organized crime and corruption. The plan will have to be implemented within three or four months.
The implementation schedule will be tabled for approval at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, so that the measures can be presented during the forthcoming first visit to Brussels of Boyko Borissov in his capacity as Prime Minister. Popova tells "Dnevnik" that it may prove that not all EU recommendations will entail legal amendments but that it must be clear that constant monitoring is in place.
Commenting the topic, "Troud" says in a leading report that three permanent special units are being set up, one each for counteracting misuse of EU funding, high-level corruption and organized crime. "Troud" also notes that changes are likely in the forfeiture of property acquired by criminal means. The daily quotes Popova as saying that the model of the old Property Act where unaccounted for incomes could be taken without a court sentence, was a good one.
"All Unaccounted for Riches Confiscated" caps a front-page report on the topic in "24 Chassa". The new thing in the latest measures is that they will not only target suspected bandits but also politicians, business people, and members of the public who cannot prove their incomes. "Klassa" says that illegally acquired property will be confiscated without a court ruling. "Telegraph" and "Monitor" writes that property of criminals will be taken without court rulings.
* * *
All of the Tuesday dailies inform of the decision due on September 10 of the European Commission on whether or not to unblock 140 million euros in frozen funding for Bulgaria under SAPARD, the pre-accession instrument for agriculture and rural development.
Quoting Agriculture and Foods Minister Miroslav Naydenov, "Zemya" writes that 19 million euros form the blocked funding under SAPARD will be released once the procedural steps are completed. Another 90 million euros as potential subsidies remain too, and Sofia has until the end of the year to apply for them, or otherwise, lose them, "Standart News" says.
* * *
"Troud" says that at the first big EU exam Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who departs to Brussels shortly, will ask the EU to give a chance to the new government of Bulgaria to prove that it can cope with corruption and with the management of EU funds. The trump card of the visit may well prove the charges that are to be pressed Wednesday against former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov, "Troud" writes. "Telegraph" says in a front-page headline that Tsvetanov is being taken to court.
* * *
Professor Steve Hanke writes in a report in "Troud" that he had warned President Peter Stoyanov (1997-2002) that corruption is Bulgaria's biggest weakness back in the time when the economist was Stoyanov's advisor. Hanke says that in June 2000 he insisted on the conduct of a strong anti-corruption campaign but unfortunately, not a single Bulgarian government launched such a campaign, which, according to the expert, is the reason why the poverty index of the Bulgarian economy has still so high values. Hanke says Bulgaria has to cover a lot of in this direction because it ranks 45th among 181 countries in the Doing Business 2009 report of the World Bank.
ECONOMY
"Dnevnik" informs of a new bill on consumer loans currently in the making which will require a fee for early repayment of such loans if their interest is fixed. The fee is expected to be between 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent depending on the term of the loan.
* * *
"Sega" writes that banks have started to reduce lending rates, although very cautiously, by between 0.25 per cent to 2 per cent. For the time being this is evident only with regard to newly approved mortgages loans, the report says.
* * *
Deputy Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission Neno Pavlov tells "Dnevink" that reducing the personal contribution for retirement will harm the pension system.
ENERGY
"Klassa" runs an interview with Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov who says that the cabinet will reduce the state stake in the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant. Traichev says that during a recent visit to the Kozloduy n-plant energy workers raised the questions of building a new generating unit, which will be the seventh reactor, in it. The Minister thinks this is an attractive option given that the infrastructure is already there, "Douma" writes in a front-page report on the topic.
French State Secretary for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche gives an interview to "Troud" capped, "Belene Nuclear Power Plant May Become Model". The French official says that the Bulgarian cabinet should decide by itself on its strategy in the area of energy. He says that with its 62 reactors and 80 per cent of energy from nuclear sources, France has a favourable attitude towards the rapid development of nuclear energy in Europe. Lellouche says that combining Russian technology which offers reactors in the medium size (1,000 MW) with French technology for the control rooms, makes it possible to provide the best possible equipment for new nuclear power plants, as is seen everywhere today in Eastern and Central Europe.
Former economy minister Peter Dimitrov tells "Douma" that giving up on the project for the Belene n-plant will be against Bulgaria.
DEADLY ACCIDENT IN LAKE OHRID
The newspapers continue to follow the developments after the September 5 deadly accident in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia which killed 15 Bulgarians. In a front-page story "Troud" says that the victims drowned for just five minutes. The report goes on to quote Bulgarian Tourist Chamber Chairman Tsvetan Tonchev who told a news conference on Monday that some 800 tour operators are officially registered and as many are operating in the grey economy.
Interviewed by "24 Chassa" Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev says that Bulgaria will pay for the treatment in the hospital in Ohrid of the Bulgarian tourists who sustained injuries during the accident. The daily also interviews Transport Minister Aleksandar Tsvetanov who says that the captain of the deadly tourist boat is fully responsible for the the fact that the vessel was overloaded.
"Dnevnik" writes that "sparks flew" between President Georgi Purvanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov over the management of crisis situations. Borissov indirectly accused the President for the delay of the return flight of a Bulgarian aircraft the Prime Minister had sent to Ohrid to help the survivors of the deadly accident and take them home.
SOCIETY
"Klassa" reports on a donation by Japan of specialized equipment for the conservation and restoration workshops, equipment for a photo workshop and audio-video equipment to the National Art Gallery in Sofia, worth 345,000 euros. On Monday Japanese Ambassador here Tsuneharu Takeda and Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva exchanged agreements on the donation.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 8, 2009
• Bulgaria's budget deficit has reduced five times to BGN 105 M in August from BGN 564,3 M in July, the finance minister Simeon Djankov announced confirming earlier reports.
• Former agriculture minister Valeri Tsvetanov has been summoned for interrogation at the National Investigation Service, deputy city prosecutor of Sofia Roman Vasilev announced. Former chairperson of the State Forestry Agency Stefan Yurukov has been summoned, too.
There is a pre-court proceeding initiated against Valeri Tsvetanov, on which the work of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office is still underway.
• Some Romany people started throwing stones at police officers in the Gorno Ezerovo residential district in coastal town of Burgas. The reason for the aggression is still not know and there is no information whether any of the police officers got hurt.
mandag den 7. september 2009
Bulgarian Press Review September 7, 2009
Press Review
Sofia, September 7 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"Bulgaria Mourns 15 Drowned in Lake Ohrid," "Sega" says in its highlights. September 7 is a day of national mourning for the 15 Bulgarians who perished when the Ilinden tourist boat sank in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia. For the first time the Bulgarian government reacted adequately and organized the return of the surviving Bulgarian tourists in a matter of hours. President Georgi Purvanov's surprising visit to Ohrid caused confusion; his desire to see the survivors at the airport of the Macedonian city delayed their return and stirred up their discontent.
"Sega" says further on that there were a lot of irregularities about the "ill-fated trip." The owners of Klyunchev, the carrier company, will probably be fined and may even be held criminally liable. "We should not let this case just pass," Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov is quoted as saying. President Purvanov also called to hold the trip organizers liable. In his words, if experts say so, legislative changes could be made, too.
"Troud" presents the theory of the Macedonian Interior Ministry about the accident, according to which the reason for the tragedy in Lake Ohrid was a problem with the rudder. The steel rope of the rudder broke because the boat was overloaded, "Telegraf" writes.
"Troud" reports that President Purvanov attended a memorial prayer officiated at by Metropolitan Nikolai in St Virgin Mary Church in Plovdiv. In his view, a special unit should be established to perform the functions of the former Emergency Situations Ministry. Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv saw the finger of God in the tragedy. He called on all people to come to their senses and realize how much they irritate God with their lack of reason.
"Zemya" reports that a parliamentary commission will investigate the Lake Ohrid accident. "The tragedy is of such proportions that will no doubt draw a reaction from Parliament," National Assembly Chair Tsetska Tsacheva is quoted as saying yesterday. If necessary, a special commission will be set up to investigate the accident, she said. In her words, the case will be carefully considered and if there is some imperfection in the current law, there will be a legislative initiative to remove it, she said.
* * *
"A curved line running in parallel to the blue one is not a straight line," "Sega" writes observing that the "Blue" have changed their behaviour six times in the last two months. Enthusiastic about the right-of-centre majority in parliament, the Blue coalition has became the first parliamentary group which publicly criticizes the new government. Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, for instance, stated that the new government is not in the clear how long the crisis would go on and is working piecemeal. His partner, Union of Democratic Forces Chairman Martin Dimitrov, said the government is late with the required anti-crisis measures. However, it would be better for the Blue Coalition to try to help the government with managerial ideas and laws. Having been left outside the executive, they appear to be trying to be both rulers and opposition, which is not a winning tactic, the daily says.
* * *
Interviewed for "24 Chassa," Supreme Administrative Court President Konstantin Penchev suggests that supreme magistrates be elected by regions. In his view, there is no system to assess magistrates before their appointment to a senior position. Now magistrates may put up their own candidature for any position and win it by winning the mandatory minimum of 13 votes but it is not clear whether and in what he or she is better than the rest. "And if such a magistrate is later caught with a bribe, nobody bears moral responsibility for it. Parliament should decide if magistrates can name themselves for a higher position," Penchev says.
* * *
All regional chiefs of the Interior Ministry directorates are being replaced at the moment, which is expected to build a new image of the Ministry, "Troud" notes. The daily sums up all changes at the directorates except for the Sofia one, the chief of which has been recently appointed. Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov gave a 20-day credit of confidence to all police chiefs.
"I have been after Mityo Ochite for eight years," Milen Dimitrov, Police Director of Bourgas, says in an interview given to "Monitor." In his view, some provisions in the Penal Code are not in line with the realities. The society develops dynamically, and the laws develop slowly. It takes a strong, organized State to stand up against organized crime, Dimitrov says. He is categorical that drug boss Dimiter Zhelyazkov, or Mityo Ochite (Mityo the Eyes) as he is known, is "an organized
criminal, which means that he is not alone." In Dimitrov's words, the fact that Zhelyazkov is in the focus of the media makes the people behind him feel quite comfortable in doing what they do. "The State must not allow criminals to choose their punishment. That is why some changes should be done in the Code of Criminal Procedure," Dimitrov says.
* * *
The Bulgarian pension system is bankrupt, Georgi Angelov from the Open Society Institute says in "Troud." In his words, the reason to call the system "bankrupt" is that retirees get low pensions and workers pay high social insurance contributions. He sees the reform of the pension system as its capitalization: young people should make larger savings towards a pension. Furthermore, as owner of enterprises, real estates, woodlands and infrastructure amounting to billions of leva, the State could finance the pension system lending it sustainable stability and finally replacing the current "bankrupt" model.
* * *
"Troud" carries an interview with Academician Nikola Subotinov, President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), who says that the Academy has nearly 130 products which may be introduced right away. "We are setting up companies of our own in which our doctoral students and scientists will introduce our products, will organize productions and will make money," Subotinov says. "On the average, about 120 companies use our products here, in Bulgaria, annually. This number is not small but far from enough. We have patented products in our laboratories in which nobody shows interest. That is why we are setting up those companies. We want that the young and enterprising people use them."
ECONOMY
In a month, the cabinet has economized 450 million leva, "24 Chassa" says. In August Bulgaria's budget deficit was 105 million leva, according to Dow Jones. In July the deficit was 565 million leva. According to the agency, the deficit shrank as a result of cutting down government spending by 15 per cent, the largest cut of all other EU member states. It is pointed out that the government intends to decrease salaries paid in the public sector and to freeze pensions until the summer of 2010. The worst effects of the crisis are still to hit the economy but further spending cuts should see Bulgaria balance its budget in 2009, Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told Dow Jones.
* * *
"This country is by 300 million leva reacher after a signature," "24 Chassa" says. The daily discusses the measure taken by Boyko Borissov cabinet to stop fuel smuggling. It is recalled that as of October 1, 2009 all petrol stations in Bulgaria should be linked to the National revenue Agency and to report the amounts of fuel sold on a daily basis. This may prove to be one of the most efficient ways of curbing fuel smuggling. Oddly enough, no government did not do it until now. The excuse was that there was no money and that it was not possible technically to build such links. However, experts' estimates show that a petrol station is to invest about 2,000 - 3,000 leva in the project. There are 2,000 petrol stations in Bulgaria which have not been fiscalized. Multiplying their number by 3,000 leva makes a total of 6 million leva - money which the previous governments were reluctant to spend although the return on the investment would be 300 million leva more every year.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 7, 2009
• Day of National Mourning for the victims of the tragic accident in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia, in which a tourist boat sank. Fifteen Bulgarian citizens drowned, 40 survived.
• Bodies of the Bulgarians who died in Ohrid Lake should be identified by their relatives first, and then they could be transported to Bulgaria, said deputy foreign minister Marin Raykov. The forensic medicine in Macedonia has not accepted identification of the bodies made by the other tourists in the group to issue death certificates.
• Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva and Japan Ambassador in Sofia Tsuneharu Takeda exchange notes on a 350,000 euro donation from the Japanese government for the National Art Gallery. The donation is provided under the Japanese Programme for Grant Aid in Culture.
Sofia, September 7 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
"Bulgaria Mourns 15 Drowned in Lake Ohrid," "Sega" says in its highlights. September 7 is a day of national mourning for the 15 Bulgarians who perished when the Ilinden tourist boat sank in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia. For the first time the Bulgarian government reacted adequately and organized the return of the surviving Bulgarian tourists in a matter of hours. President Georgi Purvanov's surprising visit to Ohrid caused confusion; his desire to see the survivors at the airport of the Macedonian city delayed their return and stirred up their discontent.
"Sega" says further on that there were a lot of irregularities about the "ill-fated trip." The owners of Klyunchev, the carrier company, will probably be fined and may even be held criminally liable. "We should not let this case just pass," Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov is quoted as saying. President Purvanov also called to hold the trip organizers liable. In his words, if experts say so, legislative changes could be made, too.
"Troud" presents the theory of the Macedonian Interior Ministry about the accident, according to which the reason for the tragedy in Lake Ohrid was a problem with the rudder. The steel rope of the rudder broke because the boat was overloaded, "Telegraf" writes.
"Troud" reports that President Purvanov attended a memorial prayer officiated at by Metropolitan Nikolai in St Virgin Mary Church in Plovdiv. In his view, a special unit should be established to perform the functions of the former Emergency Situations Ministry. Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv saw the finger of God in the tragedy. He called on all people to come to their senses and realize how much they irritate God with their lack of reason.
"Zemya" reports that a parliamentary commission will investigate the Lake Ohrid accident. "The tragedy is of such proportions that will no doubt draw a reaction from Parliament," National Assembly Chair Tsetska Tsacheva is quoted as saying yesterday. If necessary, a special commission will be set up to investigate the accident, she said. In her words, the case will be carefully considered and if there is some imperfection in the current law, there will be a legislative initiative to remove it, she said.
* * *
"A curved line running in parallel to the blue one is not a straight line," "Sega" writes observing that the "Blue" have changed their behaviour six times in the last two months. Enthusiastic about the right-of-centre majority in parliament, the Blue coalition has became the first parliamentary group which publicly criticizes the new government. Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, for instance, stated that the new government is not in the clear how long the crisis would go on and is working piecemeal. His partner, Union of Democratic Forces Chairman Martin Dimitrov, said the government is late with the required anti-crisis measures. However, it would be better for the Blue Coalition to try to help the government with managerial ideas and laws. Having been left outside the executive, they appear to be trying to be both rulers and opposition, which is not a winning tactic, the daily says.
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Interviewed for "24 Chassa," Supreme Administrative Court President Konstantin Penchev suggests that supreme magistrates be elected by regions. In his view, there is no system to assess magistrates before their appointment to a senior position. Now magistrates may put up their own candidature for any position and win it by winning the mandatory minimum of 13 votes but it is not clear whether and in what he or she is better than the rest. "And if such a magistrate is later caught with a bribe, nobody bears moral responsibility for it. Parliament should decide if magistrates can name themselves for a higher position," Penchev says.
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All regional chiefs of the Interior Ministry directorates are being replaced at the moment, which is expected to build a new image of the Ministry, "Troud" notes. The daily sums up all changes at the directorates except for the Sofia one, the chief of which has been recently appointed. Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov gave a 20-day credit of confidence to all police chiefs.
"I have been after Mityo Ochite for eight years," Milen Dimitrov, Police Director of Bourgas, says in an interview given to "Monitor." In his view, some provisions in the Penal Code are not in line with the realities. The society develops dynamically, and the laws develop slowly. It takes a strong, organized State to stand up against organized crime, Dimitrov says. He is categorical that drug boss Dimiter Zhelyazkov, or Mityo Ochite (Mityo the Eyes) as he is known, is "an organized
criminal, which means that he is not alone." In Dimitrov's words, the fact that Zhelyazkov is in the focus of the media makes the people behind him feel quite comfortable in doing what they do. "The State must not allow criminals to choose their punishment. That is why some changes should be done in the Code of Criminal Procedure," Dimitrov says.
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The Bulgarian pension system is bankrupt, Georgi Angelov from the Open Society Institute says in "Troud." In his words, the reason to call the system "bankrupt" is that retirees get low pensions and workers pay high social insurance contributions. He sees the reform of the pension system as its capitalization: young people should make larger savings towards a pension. Furthermore, as owner of enterprises, real estates, woodlands and infrastructure amounting to billions of leva, the State could finance the pension system lending it sustainable stability and finally replacing the current "bankrupt" model.
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"Troud" carries an interview with Academician Nikola Subotinov, President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), who says that the Academy has nearly 130 products which may be introduced right away. "We are setting up companies of our own in which our doctoral students and scientists will introduce our products, will organize productions and will make money," Subotinov says. "On the average, about 120 companies use our products here, in Bulgaria, annually. This number is not small but far from enough. We have patented products in our laboratories in which nobody shows interest. That is why we are setting up those companies. We want that the young and enterprising people use them."
ECONOMY
In a month, the cabinet has economized 450 million leva, "24 Chassa" says. In August Bulgaria's budget deficit was 105 million leva, according to Dow Jones. In July the deficit was 565 million leva. According to the agency, the deficit shrank as a result of cutting down government spending by 15 per cent, the largest cut of all other EU member states. It is pointed out that the government intends to decrease salaries paid in the public sector and to freeze pensions until the summer of 2010. The worst effects of the crisis are still to hit the economy but further spending cuts should see Bulgaria balance its budget in 2009, Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told Dow Jones.
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"This country is by 300 million leva reacher after a signature," "24 Chassa" says. The daily discusses the measure taken by Boyko Borissov cabinet to stop fuel smuggling. It is recalled that as of October 1, 2009 all petrol stations in Bulgaria should be linked to the National revenue Agency and to report the amounts of fuel sold on a daily basis. This may prove to be one of the most efficient ways of curbing fuel smuggling. Oddly enough, no government did not do it until now. The excuse was that there was no money and that it was not possible technically to build such links. However, experts' estimates show that a petrol station is to invest about 2,000 - 3,000 leva in the project. There are 2,000 petrol stations in Bulgaria which have not been fiscalized. Multiplying their number by 3,000 leva makes a total of 6 million leva - money which the previous governments were reluctant to spend although the return on the investment would be 300 million leva more every year.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
• http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
• http://www.novinite.com/index.php
• http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – September 7, 2009
• Day of National Mourning for the victims of the tragic accident in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia, in which a tourist boat sank. Fifteen Bulgarian citizens drowned, 40 survived.
• Bodies of the Bulgarians who died in Ohrid Lake should be identified by their relatives first, and then they could be transported to Bulgaria, said deputy foreign minister Marin Raykov. The forensic medicine in Macedonia has not accepted identification of the bodies made by the other tourists in the group to issue death certificates.
• Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva and Japan Ambassador in Sofia Tsuneharu Takeda exchange notes on a 350,000 euro donation from the Japanese government for the National Art Gallery. The donation is provided under the Japanese Programme for Grant Aid in Culture.
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