US, Bulgaria Slam Russia, China on Syria Resolution Veto

The US and Bulgaria have vowed to increase pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, during US State Secretary Hillary Clinton's visit to Sofia Sunday. read

Clinton: USA Is Bulgaria's Friend Forever

I promise to the Bulgarian people that the United States will be forever with them, as we have been in the past, stated US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Sofia. read

Bulgaria's Maxim Behar to Defend Transparency at World PR Forum in Davos

Bulgaria's top PR expert Maxim Behar will be defending publicity in the opening debate at the World Communication Forum in Davos, Switzerland. read

MORE TOP NEWS Clinton in Sofia: US Joins Decade of Roma Inclusion Clinton Doesn't Mention Shale Gas in Bulgaria, Vows to Send Energy Envoy During Clinton Visit, Bulgarian Rightists Liken Gazprom to Red Army Clinton: USA Committed to Bulgaria's Security FM: US Army Bases in Bulgaria Won't Be Used for Strike on Iran Ex President: Today's Bulgaria Has No Leaders Bulgaria Braces for Winter Hell as Snow, Cold Return Feb EC Report to Blast again Bulgarian Judiciary

UPS & DOWNS Bulgarian PES Leader Interviewed by Top Spanish Media Former Bulgarian VP under Fire over Criminals' Pardons

QUOTE OF THE DAY "It is a great honor for me to be again in this beautiful country and to be able to demonstrate again our strong partnership. I promise to the Bulgarian people that the United States will be forever with them, as we have been in the past." US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after meeting Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and key cabinet ministers on an official visit to Sofia Sunday.

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HOT PHOTO Bulgarian President Vows to Clinton to Aid US Investments US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev on an official trip to Sofia Sunday. Photo by the Office of the President of Bulgaria

NOVINITE INSIDER Maxim Behar: Hillary Clinton Is among the US Politicians Who Are Most Positive towards Bulgaria » More

BULGARIAN PM: CLINTON AGREED TO PUT ENVIRONMENT BEFORE ENERGY

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to protect the environment in pursuing their energy policies at a meeting in Sofia Sunday.

Energy was high on the agenda in Clinton's meeting with the Bulgarian PM and key cabinet ministers, and Clinton herself made it clear that Bulgaria is a key part of the US's energy strategy.

Although the Secretary of State did not mention the issue of shale gas in the press conference after the meeting, PM Borisov made it clear that his was a key topic of discussion.

"I want to stress that the Bulgarian nature and environment come first, and only then come financial and economic benefits," said the Bulgarian PM.

US energy giant Chevron's permit for exploring for shale gas in Bulgaria sparked controversy in the country, as environmentalists warned that the technology is hazardous.

This provoked the Bulgarian Parliament in mid-January to impose a ban on the exploration and production of shale gas in the country. It was believed that during her visit Clinton would pressure the Bulgarian cabinet to revoke the moratorium.

"Not before we have convinced society that there are no hazards in shale gas production can we go ahead," stressed Borisov, adding that his cabinet is open to experts who could prove the safety of the shale gas technology.

Hilly Clinton concurred that any joint US-Bulgarian move in the field of energy should do everything to preserve "the beautiful Bulgarian nature."

At the same time, she said that as soon as next week, she will be sending US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar to Bulgaria.

Morningstar was among the very first who introduced the idea of drilling for shale gas using a technology called hydraulic fracturing in Bulgaria, back in spring 2010.

Environmental concerns also played in Bulgarian PM Borisov's statement regarding Bulgaria's planned second NPP at Belene, a joint project with Russia.

"When I'm talking about the environment, I mean not only shale gas, but also nuclear energy," said he.

Bulgaria and Russian state company Atomstroyexport have held a long drawn negotiationg process over Belene NPP, which have led some to believe that the project will never be carried out.

However, Sunday the Bulgarian PM made it clear that his country is serious about the NPP. "We have already invested BGN 1.3 B in this project," said he.

Nuclear energy was among the key points that the US Secretary of State also pointed to when speaking about US-Bulgarian energy cooperation.

CLINTON: BULGARIA IS DEMOCRATIC EXAMPLE FOR ARAB WORLD

Bulgaria is a success story in the transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy and could help countries in the Arab World, stated US State Secretary Hillary Clinton in Sofia.

Sunday Clinton is on an official visit to the Bulgarian capital, where she discussed key global and bilateral matters with local leaders.

The US Secretary of State said that Bulgaria has effected its transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy in an exemplary way.

"It is a great pleasure to see the progress you achieved in deepening democracy," said Clinton, adding that countries from the Arab World could learn from Bulgaria.

She commended the Sofia Platform initiative taken up by Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov, bringing democracy activists from the Arab countries, including those that experienced the Arab spring.

According to Clinton, Bulgaria is in the position to exert influence and to spread its good example to other countries.

She added she is looking forward to the third edition of the Sofia Platform later this year.

Sunday the US Secretary of State, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and FM Nikolay Mladenov said that the US and Bulgaria will join forces to pressure the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria to desist from using violence.

Bulgaria and the USA condemned Russia and China for Saturday's veto against a UN Security Council resolution censuring the Syrian regime.

Following the failure of the UN Security Council, a non-UN coalition must be gathered to pressure Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to step down, stated Clinton.

BULGARIAN BUSINESS REPORTS HUGE LOSSES OVER POLAR COLD

The business in Bulgaria has registered losses of BGN millions over the unusual polar cold that gripped the country last week.

The information was reported Saturday by the largest TV channel bTV, saying that the most affected are the construction sector and retail trade.

Many companies have announced large losses over increased energy expenses.

Consumption of all types of products is down, affecting negatively manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers.

Companies have also suffered from many workers being out sick, reducing work force and increasing sick leave expenses.

Retailers hope to compensate for the losses when the mercury starts going up and people begin shopping more actively, but the industrial sector faces more serious problems over looming fines for delays.

The winners are the heating utilities, the Thermal Power Plants, and the pharmaceutical sector, which registered their highest sales during the coldest days.

The same trend is observed across Europe where in the last two weeks sales of soup are up 20%; the demand for winter coats and booths increased twice, while car mechanics have 4 times more orders over the more frequent traffic accidents.

BULGARIA'S MAXIM BEHAR TO DEFEND TRANSPARENCY AT WORLD PR FORUM IN DAVOS

Bulgaria's top PR expert Maxim Behar will be defending publicity in the opening debate at the World Communication Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr. Behar will face Allan Mayer, Principal Partner at 42West PR agency in New York, in the debate "Privacy vs. Publicity in the Era of Transparency".

Last year Paul Holmes faced Marshall Sponder at the forum's opening debate, when they offered the audience a heated discussion on the topic of "New PR vs. New Marketing".

"We have tsunami of social media that are going to sink us if we do not understand that there is no privacy – everything is public, everything is transparent, and that makes the world much better," says Maxim Behar in a debate sneak peak video on YouTube.

"[Publicity] makes people more ethical, [it makes them] more careful what to say and what not to say," he adds.

The debate starts at 10:00 am CET on February 9th and it will be streamed live on the forum's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ForumDavos.

The forum Communication on Top summons professionals and innovators in the field of communications, and lets the trend-makers share creative ideas, and discuss best practices and new strategies. This year more than 30 people from 20 different countries around the globe will participate in the forum. Two case studies will be presented along with seven panel discussions, and three debates, aimed at exploring the future of communications.

The third edition of World Communication forum opens on February 8th. In addition to the "Privacy vs. Publicity" topic, this year the forum program features such topics as "New challenges to the PR consultancies – global vs. local", "Interactions in virtual economics", and "Virtual vs. face-to-face communication in PR and marketing".

In addition to participating in the "Privacy vs. Publicity" debate, Bulgaria's Maxim Behar is to moderate the C4F (Communication for Future) Awards closing ceremony.

This is the second edition of the awards, given to individuals with major influence on the improvement of communications and contribution to the new trends in the industry.

For additional information, visit http://www.forumdavos.com/

CLINTON DOESN'T MENTION SHALE GAS IN BULGARIA, VOWS TO SEND ENERGY ENVOY

Bulgaria is a key country for the United States in terms of energy strategy, it transpired during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Sofia Sunday.

Clinton vowed to pursue work with Bulgaria, especially in the field of nuclear energy and energy sources diversification.

"Over next week, I will send US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar to Bulgaria," stated the Secretary of State.

Clinton did not mention the topic of shale gas during the press-conference after meeting Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and key cabinet ministers.

US energy giant Chevron's interest in exploring for shale gas in Bulgaria sparked controversy in the country, as environmentalists warned that the technology is hazardous.

This provoked the Bulgarian Parliament in mid-January to impose a ban on the exploration and production of shale gas in the country.

It was believed that during her visit Clinton wouuld pressure the Bulgarian cabinet to revoke the moratorium.

However, during the pressconference she failed to mention the matter, saying only that Bulgaria and US should work for energy diversification.

"We must do everything to protect Bulgaria's beautiful nature," clarified Hillary Clinton.

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov concurred, saying that environmental concerns should be put ahead of any economic considerations.

DURING CLINTON VISIT, BULGARIAN RIGHTISTS LIKEN GAZPROM TO RED ARMY

Bulgaria should lift its recently imposed moratorium for exploration and production of shale gas, argued rightist Union of Democratic Forces at a press conference Sunday.

At the same time, shale gas was among the topics discussed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov during her visit in Sofia.

UDF MP Lachezar Toshev said he will table a motion for lifting the ban, thus joining calls from the other party in Bulgaria's Blue Coalition, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria.

January 18 the Bulgarian Parliament imposed the ban after massive protests against a drilling permit for US energy giant Chevron.

Environmentalists and citizens have warned that the technique used for exploring and producing shale gas - hydraulic fracturing - is environmentally hazardous.

However, Sunday rightist politicians argued that Bulgarian citizens have at least the right to know whether there are significant shale gas deposits in the country.

"There is not a single piece of sound and expert scientific evidence resolutely against the exploration for shale gas," argued Toshev.

Rightists further linked anti-shale gas with Russian strategic interests, saying that Gazprom, Bulgaria's main supplier of natural gas is a prime tool of Russian influence.

"It is obvious that Gazprom is serving the same role that the Soviet Army served some decades ago," said UDF MPs.

Commentators in Bulgaria expected that during SUnday's meeting, Clinton would pressure the Bulgarian cabinet into allowing Chevron on Bulgarian soil.

No definite results to that end were apparent, as both Clinton and Borisov vowed to put "nature first" in joint energy endeavors.

At the same time, she said that as soon as next week, she will be sending US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar to Bulgaria.

Morningstar was among the very first who introduced the idea of drilling for shale gas using a technology called hydraulic fracturing in Bulgaria, back in spring 2010.

RUSSIAN GAS SUPPLIES FOR BULGARIA BACK TO NORMAL

Russian gas supplies for Bulgaria and transit for Turkey, Greece and Macedonia have been reinstated to normal volume, the Ministry of Economy and Energy reports Saturday.

Over the last 24 hours Russian gas supplies to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Macedonia have been reduced by 1/3, prompting the Ministry to create emergency headquarters to monitor them.

According to the announcement, pressure at the entrance of the Bulgarian gas delivery network had been reinstated to levels agreed on with the supplier and the country is receiving all contracted and requested natural gas.

The headquarters will continue to monitor the situation to guarantee the security of both gas supply for Bulgaria and the transit flow for neighboring countries.

It was reported by Russian media earlier Saturday that Russia's Gazprom cannot divert additional gas to Western Europe, after several countries there reported decrease of the supply volume.

NUMBER OF VISITORS AT BULGARIAN WINTER RESORTS UP 8%

There are about 8% more tourists at Bulgaria's top winter resorts, compared to the same time last year.

The data was reported by the Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, Evelin Videnov, cited by "Focus" news agency.

According to Videnov, the 2012 winter season has been great for the country's tourism. Based on the 8% increase in numbers, he expects and estimates about 10% more in revenues, compared to 2011.

The Deputy Chairman believes the good turnout is attributed to the heavy snow that fell earlier than last year, while promotions and discounts, particularly in tourist packages, have attracted more Bulgarians to local resorts. Visitors there now are mostly local tourists.

Videnov stresses that Bulgaria has almost no competition in winter sports and tourism from neighboring countries and on the Balkans, except for some Serbian and Croatian resorts, while Turkey, Greece and Romania "traditionally are not strong in winter tourism."

US, BULGARIA SLAM RUSSIA, CHINA ON SYRIA RESOLUTION VETO

The US and Bulgaria have vowed to increase pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, during US State Secretary Hillary Clinton's visit to Sofia Sunday.

Following the failure of the UN Security Council, which she termed "a travesty," a non-UN coalition must be gathered to pressure Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to step down, stated Clinton.

Clinton spoke at a press conference after meeting Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and key cabinet ministers, such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov.

"Bulgaria strongly condemns the horrific violence continuing to go on in Syria and strongly call on the Assad regime to immediately desist," stated Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov.

The Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Ministry has already issued a statement denouncing the rejection of the UN resolution, following vetos by Russia and China.

"History will not forgive those who support a dictatorship that is killing hundreds," Bulgarian FM Nikolay Mladenov had said.

"13 out of 15 Security Council members voted for the resolution. Among them were also Arab and Latin American nations," stated Clinton, arguing that this mandates building a coalition of "friends of democratic Syria" outside of the UN.

The US Secretary of State said that the USA will pursue creating further sanctions to convince the Assad regime to stop the violence and step down.

Clinton said that situation in Syria might escalate to a "brutal civil war," but expressed hopes that the international will not allow that.

CLINTON: USA IS BULGARIA'S FRIEND FOREVER

I promise to the Bulgarian people that the United States will be forever with them, as we have been in the past, stated US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Sofia.

"It is a great honor for me to be again in this beautiful country and to be able to demonstrate again our strong partnership," added Clinton after meeting Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and members of the cabinet

The US Secretary of State said that Bulgaria has effected its transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy in an exemplary way.

"It is a great pleasure to see the progress you achieved in deepening democracy," said Clinton, adding that countries from the Arab World could learn from Bulgaria.

In addition, she commended the work of Bulgarian police and security forces, and their cooperation with their American counterparts.

"Our joint operations against drugs succeeded in stopping drugs for over USD 3 B. Our cooperation led to the arrest of hackers," said Clinton as an example.

The US Secretary of State also commended Bulgaria for the help it is offering in NATO, especially Afghanistan, and assured she felt deeply about the losses of the Bulgarian Army.

BULGARIAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO CLINTON TO AID US INVESTMENTS


CLINTON IN SOFIA: US JOINS DECADE OF ROMA INCLUSION

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has praised Bulgaria for its efforts in integrating its Roma minority, during her Sunday visit to the country.

After her official program, which including meetings with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and PM Boyko Borisov, Clinton met representatives of Roma NGOs at the US embassy in Sofia.

"The US will join the Decade of Roma Inclusion as an official observer," stated Clinton.

The Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015) is a joint initiative by European governments, including Bulgaria to further Roma integration in their countries.

Speaking after the meeting, the US Secretary of State said that Roma inclusion is an "unfinished business" in Europe.

She further expressed concern about simmering anti-Roma attitudes in Europe as a whole and Bulgaria in particular.

Roma NGO representatives said that the US State Secretary vowed the support of her country for Roma empowerment and the emancipation of Roma women.

CLINTON: USA COMMITTED TO BULGARIA'S SECURITY

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has reiterated the American commitment to Bulgaria's national security during her Sunday visit in Sofia.

"I would like to underscore the commitment of the United States to Bulgaria's security. We take very seriously our collective security obligations. We are allies in NATO. Bulgaria is an extremely important NATO partner," Clinton declared at her joint news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

She emphasized America's adherence to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty that views any attack on a single NATO member state as an attack against all.

In Clinton's words, the USA, Bulgaria, and NATO need to focus on how to create the best possible missile defense system in Europe.

The US State Secretary also pointed out that Bulgaria and the USA are going to hold a number of joint military drills in 2012 (as part of the so called Task Force East - editor's note).

"We are seeking ways for the deepening of our military cooperation," Clinton told reporters in Sofia, adding that Bulgaria and the USA should review their defense cooperation in order to figure out its future direction.

She said the USA had deep respect for Bulgaria as a strategic partner, and praised Bulgaria's contribution to the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

FM: US ARMY BASES IN BULGARIA WON'T BE USED FOR STRIKE ON IRAN

Joint US-Bulgarian military bases in Bulgaria will not be used for a potential US strike on Iran, said Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov.

Mladenov was speaking ahead of Sunday's visit to Sofia by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is set to discuss a number of security issues with Bulgarian leaders, including the situation in Iran and Syria.

Over the week, Bulgarian media quoted anonymous Bulgarian government sources, who said that Secretary of State Clinton is expected to request that one of the 4 contracted US military bases in Bulgaria be open for use for an operation against Iran.

End of 2011, the USA had requested a similar move from neighboring Turkey, which has however demonstrated strong and friendly relations to Iran, so the American plan did not go through.

The military base Bulgarian media mentioned was Bezmer in south-eastern Bulgaria, a transportation air force military facility.

Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov has however said that Bulgaria has no intentions of allowing the US to use army bases on its territory for a strike against Iran.

Tensions around the Iranian nuclear programme and increased hostile rhetoric from Israel have raised fears that a conflict might be imminent.

Mladenov has added that US-Bulgarian relations should not be reduced to defense and security matters, as ties and cooperation between the two countries are broader and deeper.

IRAN VOWS TO HIT ANY COUNTRY THAT GIVES BASE FOR US STRIKE

Iran would attack any country which has given its territory to help effect strikes on the Islamic Republic, said Gen Hossein Salami, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

"Any point used by our enemies for conducting hostile operations against Iran will suffer our aggression in return," said Salami Sunday according to Fars as quoted by Interfax.

Currently US Secretary of Defense Hillary Clinton is on an official visit to Sofia, with one of the topics on the agenda developments in Iran and Syria.

Over the week, Bulgarian media quoted anonymous Bulgarian government sources, who said that Secretary of State Clinton is expected to request that one of the 4 contracted US military bases in Bulgaria be open for use for an operation against Iran.

However, in an interview before meeting Clinton, Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov vowed that joint US-Bulgarian military bases in Bulgaria will not be used for a potential US strike on Iran.

End of 2011, the USA had requested a similar move from neighboring Turkey, which has however demonstrated strong and friendly relations to Iran, so the American plan did not go through.

FEB EC REPORT TO BLAST AGAIN BULGARIAN JUDICIARY

Bulgaria's judiciary has emerged once again as a major problem in the upcoming report of the European Commission, the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, informed Saturday.

The report, under the Verification and Cooperation Mechanism, is interim and does not include political conclusions of the type that the judicial reform remains a major challenge for Bulgaria. This conclusion, however, emerges between the lines of the 8-page document, according to BNR. The report talks about the need to devote more efforts to implement the Judiciary Act, and, as it was expected - that key appointments made by the Supreme Judicial Council, VSS, raise serious concerns in terms of transparency and objectivity. Specific cases are not mentioned, but they are known well enough in Sofia and Brussels.

However, the report finds a link with corruption in the judiciary, with resignations in the VSS, and the activities and responsibilities of its Ethical Committee. These findings make the extent to which the Council is reliable and trustworthy questionable. The report notes the need for reform in the way of selecting VSS members in order to increase its transparency and objectivity. Separately, the draft points out that results on a number of cases of fraud and irregularities in the management of EU funds are still expected.

It is also noted that not much has been done on EC recommendations in the previous report in July to analyze and investigate the Court and investigation practices in a number of cases involving organized crime and corruption. The findings on the judicial reform as a whole include the need of more decisive actions in implementing the recommendations from the July report, and that in the upcoming months Bulgaria has to show convincing results. The document marks the launch of the Specialized anti-Mafia Court and Prosecution; the first decisions of the Commission against Conflict of Interest, and that the Commission for Revocation of Illegally Acquired Assets has achieved some results, but also that the new Confiscation Act is still in the Parliament.

Another interesting point of the report is the attention to suspected violations during the local and presidential elections. It is noted that there were allegations of electoral fraud and that the information on it is being investigated by prosecutors. A footnote focuses the findings and recommendations of observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE.

This is the third consecutive report with a reference to the recommendations of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe GRECO, which in the fall of 2010 asked for legislative changes to curb abuses and corruption in the funding of political parties and election campaigns in Bulgaria.

The report does not mention problems in the legal regulation and the practice of conducting public procurement tenders, as it did in July, nor does it mention wiretaps of conversations between Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and other senior officials.

The text is still subject to change and Sofia has the right to offer input. The work on the report is continuing over the weekend. It is expected that it will be officially approved and presented next week, more likely on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, unanimous sources have informed that the report on Romania is more positive, noting more results in key sectors.

EX PRESIDENT: TODAY'S BULGARIA HAS NO LEADERS

Former Bulgarian President, Georgi Parvanov, (2002-2012) declared Saturday that rule and power should not be any politician's single-handed goal and must be protected by ideas and talent.

Parvanov is on a visit to the Black Sea capital Varna to participate in a round table "15 Years Later, Where are the Leaders," organized by the youth organization of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, in the city.

The discussion is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the date when Parvanov, then leader of BSP, and the nominated for Prime Minister Socialist, Nikolay Dobrev, returned the mandate to appoint a cabinet in the aftermath of wide-spread people discontent and rallies toppling the BSP cabinet of Zhan Videnov.

On February 4, 1997, then President, Petar Stoyanov, who won elections on the right wing ballot, called a meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security and in the aftermath Parvanov and Dobrev announced they were retreating from selecting a second BSP cabinet.

On Saturday, Parvanov said in Varna "that Stoyanov's pretention of being the savior of social peace at the time seemed to him a bit ridiculous."

"If he said at then that he was rejecting our proposal for the cabinet's team, it would have been easy to go back to the Socialist party headquarters and to declare that the President had violated the Constitution and change the agenda of the conflict, but thankfully, it did not happen," the former Head of State explained, stressing that what was most important was that in 1997 a few people found in themselves maturity and wisdom to preserve civil peace.

Parvanov underlined that he was in Varna to honor the significance of February 4 for Bulgaria, not to prove who had done what, because this was a date embedded in the country's modern history.

According to him, there is now deficit of leaders and leadership not only on national, but on European and global level.

He asked rhetorically where one can find the today leaders of Bulgaria and their anti-crisis measures and what had they done for the country.

"We are sinking more and more, and are tightening our belts more and more. Bulgaria's only chance now is good leadership and focus on innovations because electronic highways are as important as the transport ones," the ex-President concluded.

BULGARIAN EX-EU COMMISSIONER COULD RUN IN GENERAL ELECTIONS

The Bulgaria for Citizens movement founded by Bulgarian former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva might participate in the next general elections 2013.

This was revealed by Kuneva herself Sunday at a press conference in Varna, where she nevertheless said it is still not clear whether the movement will morph into a party.

"There must be civic energy, a national cause, and it must be clear that we are not politically represented. If those three conditions are fulfilled, we can make a step forward. If not, we don't need to hurry, we can wait," said the ex-EU Commissioner.

At the same time, Kuneva said that transformation into a party is not the only option for participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

At the press conference Sunday Kuneva and fellow movement participant, ex-Minister of Education Daniel Valchev spoke of initating a debate on the development of Bulgaria's economy, which they said was stalled.

In particular they drew attention to what they saw as an ever growing gap between the richest and the poorest, to the effect that they lived in what they termed as "two Bulgarias."

Kuneva founded the Citizens for Bulgaria movement in December 2011, after reentering politics in the summer, when she decided to run as a candidate in the October 23 presidential elections.

Eschewing the support of political parties, she ran as an independent candidate and finished third in the race, gathering 14% of the first round vote.

This led analysts to comment that she has a good basis of support to start a new liberal-rightist political project, something she has said she is not averse to.

Asked Sunday whether the Bulgaria for Citizens civic movement might morph into a party, Kuneva said that this is possible, if circumstances mandate it.

Meglena Kuneva entered Bulgarian politics in 2001, when liberal National Movement for Stability and Prosperity, headed by ex-Tsar Simeon Saxe-Coburg swept to power.

Since 2002, she has been Bulgaria's European Affairs Minister and chief negotiator on EU accession.

Kuneva went on to keep her ministerial position in the next coalition cabinet, led by Bulgarian Socialist Party president Sergey Stanishev.

Upon Bulgaria's entry in the EU in 2007, Kuneva became the country's first European Commissioner, taking care of the the consumer rights portfolio.

Currently she is adviser to European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas.

Other allies from the National Movement for Stability and Prosperity, such as former Minister of Education Daniel Valchev, were among the founders of the Bulgaria for Citizens movement Sunday.

DAY OF MOURNING IN BULGARIA'S PERNIK OVER SLAIN TEEN BURIAL

Saturday, February 4, is an official day of mourning in Bulgaria's western city of Pernik, near the capital Sofia, in memory for the murdered teen girl Miroslava Nikolova.

The City Hall has granted BGN 1 000 for the funeral services and buses free of charge for friends and relatives of the girl.

The mass is served at 11 am in the largest church in the city – "St. Prophet Iliya." Miroslava will be buried at 1 pm in the Pernik central cemetery.

Miroslava Nikolova, 17, from Pernik, was kidnapped in November and her body was discovered by the police 65 days later. Two men were arrested as suspects. One of them – Stoycho Stoev AKA Chocho, according to the police, had made confessions and implicated his accomplice as the physical perpetrator of the murder.

Chocho, however, committed suicide before the eyes of highly-trained policemen when he got hold on a gun during the search of his apartment.

The other suspect – Mario Lyubenov AKA The Rabbit is listed in a Sofia psychiatry ward to be tested for schizophrenia.

The case stirred controversy and outrage with many dissatisfied with police work and with information provided to the public, where a number of details remain unclear and confusing.

Pernik residents staged several protest rallies with demands for justice and punishment of the perpetrators of the murder.

The parents of the girl, her classmates, friends, mothers of other murdered children, gathered several times in front of the police precinct building in the city, saying they harbored strong doubts that the killers will be punished.

BULGARIA MARKS 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF FREEDOM APOSTLE GOTSE DELCHEV

Bulgarians all over the country are honoring Saturday, February 4th, the 140th anniversary since the birth of the Bulgarian revolutionary hero from Macedonia Gotse Delchev.

One of the founders and the ideologists of VMRO, Delchev is among the most significant revolutionaries, revered as national hero in both Bulgaria and Macedonia.

Gotse Delchev was born in 1872 in the town of Kukush, present-day Greece. He attended the Bulgarian Military Academy in Sofia, and became involved with the Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committee, which was founded in 1893 and was later transformed into the Internal Macedonian(-Adrianople) Revolutionary Organization (VMORO).

Delchev quickly became one of the leaders of the VMORO, the organization seeking to liberate the Macedonian and Adrianople Region Bulgarians from the Ottoman Empire, in its most successful period - 1894-1903.

Gotse Delchev was killed in 1903 close to village of Banitsa, present-day Greece, as his regiment of rebels skirmished with Ottoman Turkish troops, three months before the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising of 1903.

One of the most important books on Gotse Delchev, "Freedom or Death, the Life of Gotse Delchev", was written by the British historian Mercia MacDermott.

BULGARIA BRACES FOR WINTER HELL AS SNOW, COLD RETURN

A fresh cold snap with blizzards will set in Bulgaria in the beginning of the new week, after a few days of warm winter weather.

Situation was already complicated Sunday, after a deep Mediteranean cyclone brought heavy rain in the south and snowfall in the central and northern parts of the country.

The remote municipalities of Zlatograd and Nedelino in the southern Smolyan Region declared emergency, after rain and melting snow caused overflowing of rivers and reservoirs.

Precipitation across the country, except the south-west, will turn into snow Sunday overnight, with most parts receiving heavy amounts of dowpour, warned the national weather service.

Winds will reach as high as 15-20 m/sec, and especially in north-eastern Bulgaria there will be conditions for blizzards and heavy snow drafts.

Roads have started to freeze over. All crossing points to neighboring Romania have been closed, due to heavy snowfall in southern Romania.

Temperatures are also expected to start falling through the first half of the week, with lows reaching Thursday some -15 to -20 degrees C, and highs not above 0 C.

Monday the National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has declared code orange for dangerous weather for the western part of the country.

BULGARIAN ECO ACTIVISTS WITH NEW RALLY AGAINST FORESTRY ACT

Bulgarian environmentalist staged once again Saturday a protest rally against looming amendments to the Forestry Act.

The coalition of NGOs, known as "For Keeping Nature in Bulgaria," staged a march through downtown Sofia to the building of the Parliament.

Over one hundred demonstrators reiterated demands to the Members of the Parliament to not pass the amendments which give big investors rights to build in Bulgarian mountains.

This and other recent protests were triggered by Vitosha Ski's refusal to turn on lifts and other ski facilities on the Vitosha Mountain at the beginning of December 2011 on the grounds texts from the Forestry Act were making such activity illegal.

The current law mandates owners of such equipment and facilities to have an established "servitude" (a status for full-rights on the use of real estate) in order to clean and secure the lifts paths. Vitosha Ski cannot apply for such servitude because they do not have an approved comprehensive development plan (PUB).

The company proposed a PUB for a new ski zone, but it was rejected because it included protected territories and because the environmental assessment was not done according to the rules. The company attacked the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Waters in Court, but left their PUB unchanged.

The Directorate of the Vistosha "Natural Park" countered that the paths of the lifts can be cleaned without the servitude and through the rent contract. The Forestry Agency confirmed they are not against and would not interfere with the use of ski tracks and lifts.

Nevertheless, "Vitosha Ski" did not turn on the lifts, withdrew their ski instructors, and demanded amendments in the Forestry Act, interpreted by many as an attempt to blackmail the State by opposing winter sports lovers and the institutions.

At the last meeting of the cabinet in 2011, its members voted the amendments, providing for an alleviated process of construction of ski facilities without the need to change the status of the land.

According to environmentalists NGOs, these amendments benefit the owners and are hidden State assistance because with them the owners will save about BGN 50-60 M in the next two years from expenses that would have been needed to change the status of the land.

The NGOs labeled the amendments a "Christmas gift for offshore business"- the latter represented by a handful of oligarchs with shady reputation, but Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, countered they would contribute to the development of tourism and were not voted for the sake of just one company.

The amendments are being examined by several Parliamentary Committees and then will be voted by the Members of the Parliament.

BULGARIA MARKS WORLD CANCER DAY

Bulgaria joins Saturday many countries across the globe in marking February 4th - World Cancer Day, dedicated to raising awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

World Cancer Day, WCD, is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a leading international non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention and control of cancer worldwide. Founded in 1933 and based in Geneva, UICC's growing membership of over 460 organizations across 120 countries, features the world's major cancer societies, ministries of health, research institutes, treatment centers and patient groups. Additionally, the organization is a founding member of the NCD Alliance, a global civil society network that now represents almost 2,000 organizations in 170 countries.

WCD aims to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing to governments across the world to take action against the disease.

The target of the World Health Organization is to reduce avoidable deaths from cancer by 25% by 2025

WHO warn that the global cancer epidemic is huge and is set to rise. Every month 600 000 people die of cancer and many of these deaths can be avoided with increased governmental support and funding for prevention, detection and treatment programs.

Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death with 12 million diagnosed with it every year and with 7.6 million deaths. Experts warn that 84 million will die from cancer in the next decade it adequate measures are not undertaken.

This year's campaign is held under the motto "Cancer Can Be Prevented."

According to the National Cancer Registry, the cancer rate in Bulgaria is lower than European averages, but still about 100 Bulgarians are struck by cancer every day and over 18 000 die from it every year. The main problem for Bulgaria is the disease being diagnosed at a later stage.

In the eve of WCD, 100 Bulgaria oncologists submitted to Bulgarian Health Minister, Stefan Konstantinov, a petition for a full smoking ban in all indoor public spaces. They say cigarettes are among the main risk factors for cancer.

The Bulgarian cabinet is planning on imposing a full smoking ban on June 1, 2012.

Konstantinov announces the launch of free exams in the country for Bulgarians at risk of cervical and colon cancer.

RUSSIA, CHINA VETO UN RESOLUTION ON SYRIA

A Western-drafted and supported resolution condemning the violent crackdown in Syria has been vetoed at the UN Security Council by Russia and China.

According to BBC, the two permanent members of the Council have rejected the draft resolution despite strong condemnation by US President Barack Obama of the violence.

The vote came just hours after activists accused the Syrian security forces of carrying out one of the bloodiest attacks since the uprising.

Early accounts of the casualties in the city of Homs reported between 217 and 260 deaths, but, again according to BBC, one of the main activist groups had later revised its confirmed toll down to 55.

The Syrian State News Agency had denied the reported massacre, saying that the bodies shown in broadcast of satellite TV channels had been actually those of innocent citizens, kidnapped and murdered by terrorist groups.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, reported that Russia is turning into a main problem at the security conference in Munich by refusing to collaborate not only with the resolution against the regime in Syria, but also on reaching consensus on the future missile defense shield in Europe.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the draft resolution for singling out the government of President Bashar al-Assad, and not containing measures against armed opposition groups. He had been evasive about Russia vetoing the resolution.

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is attending the conference in Munich and is scheduled to travel to Sofia Sunday for a 5-hour official visit.

TUNISIAN PM: ALL COUNTRIES SHOULD EVICT SYRIA ENVOYS

Countries around the world should ask Syrian ambassadors residing there to leave, argued Tunisian PM Hamadi Jebali.

Speaking at the security conference in Munich Sunday, Jebali argued that ongoing bloody violence in Syria carried out by the regime of embattled President Bashar Al-Assad must be opposed by the national community.

"We must chase away Syrian diplomat from Arab countries, and from other countries around the world," stated the Tunisian PM.

Meanwhile, fresh reports of bloody suppression of pro-democracy protests in Syria say that at least 200 people have been killed in the city of Homs over the past days.

Serving since December 2011, Tunisian PM Hamadi Jebali is a moderate Islamist politician and chair of the Ennahda party, which won free general elections in October elections.

Saturday the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on Syria asking Assad to step down, following vetos from Russia and China.

MOSCOW GRIPPED BY LARGE SCALE PROTESTS

Thousands of people are staging protest rallies in Russia's capital Moscow against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin absolute control on power.

The Saturday protest is the third since December's parliamentary election which was tarnished by numerous reports of fraud and pressure.

Meanwhile, Putin's supporters are holding their own march at a different location in the capital.

The PM will be running again in the March presidential election.

People at the rallies will be braving temperatures as low as -19C, BBC reports.

Not long after the marches had got underway, police in Moscow said the numbers at the pro-Putin rally far outweighed those at the 'Honest Elections' march, according to the British media – 90 000 against 23 000, respectively.

The correspondent of the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, in Moscow reports about 100 000 people at each of the two rallies.

Anti-Putin protesters are marching from Kaluzhskaya Square to Bolotnaya Square, carrying white balloons - the official color of the movement. The organizers of the Saturday's protest are demanding a re-run of December's election, and calling on people to vote against Putin in March's presidential election.

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says the organizers do not expect to be able to stop the PM from winning March's election, but they hope they can pile pressure on him to institute political reform.

IDEAL STANDARD VP EAST REGION VASSIL KANEV: BULGARIA UNDER-APPRECIATED AS INVESTMENT, BUSINESS LOCATION

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MAXIM BEHAR: HILLARY CLINTON IS AMONG THE US POLITICIANS WHO ARE MOST POSITIVE TOWARDS BULGARIA

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