AGP Executive Report

Black Sea & Blue Economy: Burgas hosts the Black Sea Stakeholder Conference on 30 September, bringing together institutions, academia and business to discuss progress on the Common Maritime Agenda and new projects for a sustainable “blue economy.” Public-Private Partnerships: Bulgaria and the EBRD signed a memorandum to help prepare public-private partnership projects, aiming to modernize infrastructure and mobilize private capital. Emergency Preparedness: A new firefighter and rescuer training centre opened near Blagoevgrad under the Greece-Bulgaria Floodguard 2 programme, focused on floods, fires and disaster response. Voting Abroad: 35,131 Bulgarians have applied to vote abroad for the 25 October presidential election; the online registration deadline is midnight Tuesday. Diplomatic Tension: Bulgaria summoned North Macedonia’s charge d’affaires after MP Angel Georgiev was refused entry for a court hearing in Kocani. Historic Heritage Deal: Greece agreed to return Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria on 3 October, alongside a reciprocal relic-transfer memorandum signed in Athens. Energy & Waste Funding: The Council of Ministers approved EUR 8.692m for the radioactive waste repository’s first phase and EUR 126.6m as an initial state capital contribution to Maritsa East Holding. EU Mobility & Culture: Bulgaria will host the Danube Region strategy forum (Nov 3-4) and a ministerial conference on Pan-European Corridor VIII (Oct 7-8) in Sofia.

Tsar Samuel Returns: Bulgaria and Greece signed an accord for the return of Tsar Samuil’s remains, ending decades of efforts; the handover ceremony is set for Oct. 3 in Thessaloniki, with a Sofia welcome planned for 12:30 at Battenberg Square. Heritage Deal: The agreement also covers reciprocal transfer of other historic and religious artefacts, including remains linked to Tsar Gavril Radomir. Refugee Attitudes: New UNWE research says more than half of people in Sofia are willing to accept refugees, though views are described as mixed and shaped by disinformation. Food Waste Reality Check: A Bulgarian Food Bank-linked study finds 47% of Bulgarians are indifferent to food waste, while food insecurity remains widespread. Healthcare Pressure: A Trend survey highlights high out-of-pocket costs, staff shortages, and NHIF coverage gaps as key healthcare problems. Economy & Finance: The Finance Ministry issued EUR 150 mln in five-year bonds, and EY reports accelerating AI adoption among Bulgarian firms. EU Crime Probe: EPPO says shell companies in Bulgaria were used in a cross-EU scheme selling used phones as new, worth at least €300 mln.

GRU-linked arson case: Two Bulgarian nationals detained in Germany over a Munich arson attack were allegedly tied to Russia’s GRU, with the group reportedly operating from Slovakia and linked to a thwarted drone-factory plot near Prešov. EU health push: The European Commission proposes cardiovascular health checks as the first EU Screening Week begins, aiming to cut premature deaths from the bloc’s top killer. Bulgaria’s healthcare focus: Bulgarian doctors say prevention and patient engagement are still weak, with fear and system navigation issues holding back screenings. Fuel costs at the border: Northern Greeks keep crossing into Bulgaria for cheaper petrol and diesel, feeding inflation pressures at home. Home rakia rules clarified: Finance Deputy PM Galab Donev says proposed excise changes target illegal sales, not people keeping homemade rakia for family use. Sofia culture: Sofia Opera’s Wagner Festival is nominated for the “Opera Oscars,” with the awards in Vienna in November. Tech for cancer care: A Bulgarian company unveiled a portable gamma spectrometer prototype to help surgeons locate sentinel lymph nodes during operations. Weather: Cloudy with rain mainly in southern Bulgaria; October outlook ranges from minus 5 to 27C.

Road Safety & Infrastructure: Bulgaria has started an urgent programme to replace crash barriers nationwide, as the Road Safety Institute warns road safety policy has “completely broken down” and cites a weekend death toll of 10 as a “national record.” EU Defence: Bulgaria is joining two of the EU’s first five European Defence Projects of Common Interest—DECODER (drones/counter-drones) and IMSD (maritime and seabed defence). Energy Policy: The European Commission has opened infringement cases via formal notices to 18 EU states over energy-sharing rules; Bulgaria is not among them. Agriculture & Livestock: The Agriculture Ministry says it wants to replace ear tags with GPS trackers for livestock, including checks for “virtual” animals and a proposed experimental region. Tourism: TUI plans to significantly grow Bulgaria’s Black Sea visitor numbers by 2030 and will open a new 290-room Tui Blue hotel at Golden Sands in summer 2027. Sofia & Refugees: A Sofia conference on refugees and asylum seekers focuses on improving support for people seeking protection and strengthening the system for unaccompanied children. Local Justice: A Bulgarian MP says he was denied entry to North Macedonia for an Iva Mihaylova court hearing, as Mihaylova claims her health is deteriorating and she needs treatment abroad.

UN Diplomacy: President Iliana Iotova told journalists Bulgaria’s UN General Assembly stance on Ukraine leaves no room for a military solution and calls for talks without ultimatums, while warning Black Sea disruption could hit food supplies and fuel migration. Elections & Voting Integrity: Bulgaria’s CEC says October 25 presidential election results will be cross-checked as section commissions manually count machine receipts and compare them with scanned protocols. Politics & Taxes: GERB leader Boyko Borissov vowed to reverse current tax changes if back in power, calling them “madness” and blaming fuel-price rises on policy. Sports—Nations League: Bulgaria hosts Estonia after a tough start in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, with the team looking to bounce back from a home loss to Luxembourg. Culture & Film: Varna’s Golden Rose festival crowned “The Dreamed Adventure” as Best Film, while “Through the Wall” won Poland’s Golden Lion at Gdynia. Local Culture: Sofia’s Tattoo Expo draws 180+ artists at the National Palace of Culture, blending live ink, music and alternative art.

UN Diplomacy: President Iliana Iotova said Bulgaria’s UN General Assembly message on Ukraine was clear: no military solution, negotiations without ultimatums, and full EU involvement—adding Black Sea disruption could threaten food supplies and fuel migration. Presidential Race: GERB leader Boyko Borissov vowed to reverse current tax changes if back in government, while presidential candidates Iliana Iotova and Andrey Gurov kicked off campaign stops focused on security, stability and independence. Election Process: The CEC says section election commissions will manually count machine voting receipts as a cross-check in the Oct. 25 presidential vote. Food & Cost of Living: Wholesale fruit and vegetable prices rose this week, with big jumps for cucumbers, peppers and potatoes. Culture & Tourism: Sofia marked World Tourism Day with free tours and museum visits, while BTA launched a new “Festive Bulgaria” section to spotlight festivals nationwide. Sports: Luxembourg beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the Nations League opener.

Bulgaria in UEFA Nations League: Bulgaria opened the 2026/27 campaign with a 2-1 home loss to Luxembourg in Plovdiv, after Asen Chandarov put the hosts ahead and Leandro Barreiro and Vincent Thill turned it around. Presidential campaign trail: Independent candidate Iliana Iotova said her “nomination committee is a committee of Bulgarians” and pushed for equal application of the law and a foreign policy based on national positions. Road safety & insurance: The Financial Supervision Commission says the bonus-malus system for third-party liability insurance is set to start in February 2027, with discounts for clean records but not cheaper premiums for everyone. Archaeology: Polish and Bulgarian teams at Novae near the Danube uncovered a large Roman residence, likely the praetorium of the Legio I Italica commander. Culture in Sofia: The Confucius Institute in Sofia held Chinese culture art workshops during an Open Day event. Sport spotlight: Bulgarian enduro rider Teodor Kabakchiev won the Roof of Africa hard enduro race in Lesotho.

Bulgaria in the spotlight abroad: Bulgarians in Riga showcased homeland culture at the European Languages Festival, marking major Cyril and Methodius anniversaries and highlighting the Cyrillic alphabet’s global legacy. Diplomacy & security: Bulgaria’s Labour Minister told the UN it wants a Social Innovation Competence Centre and a stronger social enterprise network, while MPs proposed a temporary parliamentary committee to probe suspected hybrid attacks and sabotage linked to foreign intelligence since 2011. Crime crackdown: Customs and police seized 20 kg of cocaine and 26 kg of cannabis worth over €2.2M at Lesovo border checkpoint, detaining the truck driver. Energy ties: Russia and Serbia’s presidents discussed cooperation in energy, transport and healthcare, as Serbia faces uncertainty over expiring gas and oil-related arrangements. International pressure on Bulgaria: The Foreign Ministry warned Bulgarians to avoid the US East Coast ahead of a powerful storm. Culture on the move: A travelling exhibition on 150 years of children’s civic initiatives will visit 24 Bulgarian cities. Sports (Bulgaria’s next match): Bulgaria plays Luxembourg in UEFA Nations League action. Finance: Fitch affirmed Bulgaria’s BBB+ rating and turned the outlook positive, citing reduced political uncertainty but warning of macro imbalances.

EU Watch: The European Commission opened five new infringement procedures against Bulgaria, including issues tied to energy, money laundering, drugs, consumer rights and environmental protection. Migration & Crime: Sofia prosecutors indicted six people for organized migrant trafficking, alleging a network that moved migrants from Türkiye through Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania toward Germany. Energy & Taxes: Parliament approved a temporary zero excise duty on natural gas and LPG used as motor fuel (Oct 1–Dec 31), aimed at easing high fuel prices. Economy & Work: MPs passed a new minimum-wage formula based on purchasing power, wage levels, wage growth and long-term productivity. Politics & Ukraine: A row erupted after President Iliana Iotova denied signing a UN Ukraine statement, while the Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria endorsed it—sparking opposition accusations of contradictory positions. Energy Market: The competition watchdog asked Lukoil firms for detailed data on how wholesale petrol and diesel prices are set. Business & Growth: Jumbo reported €120.6m profit in H1 and said it will expand in Cyprus; Bulgaria also saw household loans rise 20.8% y/y in August. Diplomacy: Iotova met China’s vice president in New York, pushing direct Sofia–Beijing air links and market access for Bulgarian organic products.

Migration & Asylum: A Greek “model” camp near Bulgaria’s border, Sintiki, is facing fresh outrage after detained migrants described near-starvation conditions and said some are contemplating suicide. EU Compliance Watch: The European Commission opened six infringement procedures against Bulgaria, including over incomplete transposition on hydrogen and decarbonised gases, money laundering, new psychoactive substances, right to repair, and industrial emissions. Ukraine Diplomacy Row: Bulgaria’s opposition says President Iliana Iotova and the Foreign Ministry gave conflicting signals on whether Sofia endorsed a UN Ukraine declaration, after a late-night presidential post. Economy & Finance: Bulgaria plans a one-off windfall profits tax for 2027, while the BNB warns higher bank-profit taxes could make loans pricier. Energy & Business: Schneider Electric agreed to buy Sofia-based Shelly Group for €1.2bn, boosting its smart-home push. Politics & Voting: Bulgaria’s presidential campaign starts; sociologists expect low turnout on Oct. 25. Sports: Aoife O’Rourke defended her European 75kg boxing title in Sofia, joining sister Lisa as a champion.

Poland-Ukraine Security: Polish PM Donald Tusk says two border crossings near Ukraine—Dorohusk and Zosin—were evacuated for about 30 minutes after Russian strikes, with emergency alerts sent to thousands in eastern regions; Tusk warned autumn and winter could be “truly critical.” NATO Eastern Flank: NATO’s top commander in Europe said “we are all eastern flank countries,” pointing to stepped-up intel-sharing amid hybrid threats. Bulgaria Defense Ties: In Warsaw, Bulgaria’s PM Rumen Radev said Poland is key to keeping Bulgaria’s MiG-29s operational and will also support F-16 maintenance. Energy & Business: Schneider Electric plans a roughly €1.2B bid to buy Bulgaria’s Shelly Group, while Bulgaria lifted restrictions on petroleum product exports to EU markets. Tourism & Culture: Bulgaria and TUI signed a memorandum aimed at doubling foreign tourist numbers over three years; the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is set to arrive in Istanbul on Sept. 30 after passing through Bulgaria. Sports: Michaela Walsh won bronze at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia.

Gambling Crackdown: Bulgaria’s PM Rumen Radev has proposed sweeping changes to the Gambling Act, including a near-total ban on gambling ads (with limited sports sponsorship exceptions), tighter controls on casino lighting, real-time linking of gaming equipment to the National Revenue Agency, higher online gambling taxes, and new rules aimed at curbing addiction and fraud. Black Sea Security: President Iliana Iotova told the UN General Assembly Sofia is preparing an international initiative to coordinate joint actions to protect freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea, turning it from a high-risk zone into a space for shared security and trade. UN Diplomacy on Ukraine: A joint statement backed by 50 countries and the EU at the UN calls on Russia to agree to a ceasefire; the US did not join. EU Climate Data: Eurostat reports Cyprus emissions rose 67.1% from 1990 to 2024, while drought affected 13% of its land in 2024; Bulgaria is among the EU regions hit by drought extremes. Sports & Culture: Sofia hosts the European Week of Sport #BeActive 2026; in boxing, Michaela Walsh won bronze at the European Championships in Sofia.

Gambling Crackdown: Bulgaria’s PM Rumen Radev says the government is preparing a near-total ban on gambling advertising, including billboards, posters and flashy casino signage, alongside tighter oversight and a new taxation model aimed at curbing addiction. Housing & Wages: NSI data show home prices up 15.5% year-on-year in Q2 2026, while hourly labour costs rose 9.9% in Q2. Consumer Credit Limits: Parliament approved at first reading a bill capping loan APR at five times the statutory interest rate, expanding consumer protections and covering more credit products. Presidential Voting Abroad: 18,430 Bulgarians abroad have registered to vote by 11 a.m. Wednesday ahead of the Oct. 25 presidential election. Energy & Industry: Renalfa IPP completed repowering and hybridisation of the Devnya solar plant to 65 MWp with 60 MW/165 MWh storage. Culture & Sports: Sofia hosts the 5th International Nuclear Conference on Oct. 1-2, and Bulgarian volleyball coach Gianlorenzo Blengini was introduced as Vero Volley’s head coach for 2026/27.

Fuel Prices Hit Record Highs: Eurostat says EU fuel and engine oil prices for private transport jumped 23.8% year-on-year in August, with Bulgaria leading the rise (+34.5%) and Hungary the outlier (+1.3%); diesel rose 8.3% and petrol 3.3% from July, adding pressure on household budgets. Bulgaria Independence Day: Celebrations marked 118 years since 22 September 1908, with the main programme in Veliko Tarnovo and speeches stressing that independence must be defended daily. Ivan Vazov Memorial: Sofia’s National Literature Museum held a tribute and memorial service for the 105th anniversary of Ivan Vazov’s death, with free access to the poet’s grave museum. Sofia Sports Spotlight: The Sofia Cup roller skiing event drew 126 athletes to South Park, while Sofia Municipality will screen Bulgarian F2 driver Nikola Tsolov’s Baku races on a big screen in central Sofia. Culture & Society: A Portugal ambassador in Sofia, Ana Maria Ribeiro da Silva, was found dead at her residence; Bulgaria also registered 26 presidential candidate pairs for the October 25 vote. EU Mobility Trend: Electric cars reached an all-time high share in new EU registrations in 2025, but Bulgaria still recorded one of the lowest e-car shares (4.9%).

Independence Day in Veliko Tarnovo: Bulgaria marked 118 years since declaring independence, with official ceremonies centered on Tsarevets and the Church of the Forty Martyrs, as President Iliana Iotova, PM Rumen Radev and National Assembly chair Mihaela Dotsova urged Bulgarians not to take independence for granted. Fuel prices hit households: Eurostat data shows Bulgaria logged the EU’s biggest annual fuel jump in August (+34.5%), with diesel also rising sharply month-on-month. Sofia backs Nikola Tsolov: Sofia Municipality will broadcast Nikola Tsolov’s F2 races on a big screen in central Sofia on Sept 25-26 as he leads the standings heading to Baku. Diplomatic shock: Portugal’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Ana Maria Ribeiro da Silva, was found dead at her Sofia home; initial reports point to a heart attack. Sports spotlight: Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke secured at least bronze at the European Boxing Elite Championships in Sofia, setting up possible upgrades later this week. Business & energy: Renalfa repowered its Devnya solar plant to 65MW and added 60MW/165MWh storage.

Fuel Prices & Consumer Watch: Bulgaria’s consumer protection watchdog says it has started inspections of petrol stations over unjustified fuel price hikes, with interim results expected next week; diesel is nearing the €2-per-litre psychological threshold in Sofia. Presidential Election Drive: Presidential ticket registrations are in the final stretch, with multiple initiative committees submitting signatures to the Central Election Commission ahead of the 22 September deadline. Social Care in Focus: In Targovishte, foster care support is expanding under the “Foster Me” initiative, with 230+ children placed with foster families since 2007 and 36 active foster families currently. EU-Linked Transport Rules: The transport minister says transport innovation needs clear EU-wide rules and guaranteed safety, including phased rollout for connected and autonomous vehicles. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova met US Congressman Joe Wilson in New York to push the Bulgaria–US strategic partnership ahead of the UN General Assembly. Culture & Media: BTA signed a partnership with Plovdiv Drama Theatre, and Sofia DocuMental will host director Milcho Manchevski for the premiere of his new documentary. Health & Workforce: Bulgaria faces a critical nurse shortage, with numbers nearly halved over 35 years, while Burgas is highlighted as a local example of growing interest in nursing.