UN refugee agency 'alarmed' at the detention of child immigrants in GreeceAugust 28th, 2009 UN 'alarmed' at immigrant detention site in GreeceATHENS, Greece — The U.N. refugee agency says it is "alarmed" at the conditions at a Greek detention center where hundreds of illegal immigrants are being held, including scores of children.
Bulgaria plans to adopt euro in 2012-2013August 3rd, 2009 SOFIA - Bulgaria plans to replace the lev with Europe's single currency, the euro, in 2012 or 2013, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told daily 24 Chasa Monday. "We have a chance in the last year of the mandate to introduce the euro," Djankov said.
Archaeologists discover nymph sanctuary in Central BulgariaJuly 27th, 2009 SOFIA - A team of archaeologists has found a sanctuary in Central Bulgaria where the nymph cult used to be celebrated in ancient times. According to a report in the Balkan Travellers, the sanctuary was found by archaeologists in the vicinity of the Nicopolis ad Istrum ancient site, located near the town of Veliko Tarnovo in central Bulgaria.
Italian co-driver dies after rally car slams into tree during race in BulgariaJuly 19th, 2009 Italian co-driver dies in rally crash in BulgariaSOFIA, Bulgaria — Rally organizers say an Italian co-driver has died after a race car he was in went off the road and slammed into a tree. Rally Bulgaria director Dimitar Agura said Flavio Gugelmini died on the spot after the Peugeot 207 car driven by Brian Lavio of Switzerland hit a tree.
Turkmens, Azerbaijan hold talks on Caspian Sea boosting Europeean gas pipeline prospectsJuly 16th, 2009 Turkmens, Azerbaijan discuss gas-rich sea borderASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have begun talks to agree on a border in the energy-rich Caspian Sea, the Turkmen foreign ministry said Thursday, a move that boosts prospects for a Western-backed pipeline project to pump gas to Europe. The feasibility of the Nabucco pipeline — planned to connect eastern Turkey with the lucrative European market — rests heavily on its ability to tap into the Caspian region's vast energy resources.
Turkey, EU countries to sign deal for pipeline to carry gas from Caspian, MideastJuly 13th, 2009 Turkey, EU countries to sign gas pipeline dealANKARA, Turkey — Turkey and five European Union countries will sign a landmark agreement on Monday aimed at reducing Europe's reliance on Russian energy by running a gas pipeline from the Caspian Sea region to the EU via Turkey. The United States, which is backing the Nabucco project alongside the EU, said it does not object to Russia's participation but claimed Iran should be excluded until it improves its ties with the West.
Turkey, EU countries sign deal for pipeline to carry gas from Caspian, MideastJuly 13th, 2009 Turkey, EU countries sign gas pipeline dealANKARA, Turkey — European countries on Monday sealed an important agreement aimed at diversifying the continent's energy sources — but their pipeline project to bring natural gas from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe can't entirely break Russia's dominance. The Nabucco pipeline is still seeking gas supplies — in particular, from Azerbaijan — despite promising words by Iraq, Turkmenistan, Egypt and Syria.
US officials say Russia can take part in Nabucco gas pipeline project but not IranJuly 13th, 2009 US: Russia can participate in Nabucco but not IranANKARA, Turkey — The United States says it does not object to Russia's participation in a pipeline project to bring gas to Europe but claims Iran should be excluded until it improves its ties with the West. Richard Morningstar, U.S.
Greece says it will sell Deutsche Telekom another 5 percent in OTE for euro674 millionJune 18th, 2009 Greece to sell Deutsche Telekom more shares in OTEATHENS, Greece — The Greek government said Thursday it will sell a further 5 percent stake in telecom operator OTE to Deutsche Telekom AG for euro674 million ($933 million). An Economy Ministry statement said the government was exercising its option to sell the stake to the German company at the pre-agreed price of euro27.5 ($38) per share, under the terms of last year's deal on sharing OTE ownership and management control.
EU seeks to enroll Caucasus neighbors, Egypt and Iraq into energy deal bypassing RussiaMay 9th, 2009 EU seeks partnership with 8 gas-rich neighborsBRUSSELS — The European Union will press eight southern neighbors on Friday to join a long-term partnership that would give them a sustained income from their natural gas in the years ahead and provide Western Europe with stable gas deliveries that bypass Russia. At a meeting in Prague with leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt and Iraq, the EU will push for a broad commitment on the expansion of a web of half a dozen east-west gas pipelines spanning thousands of miles (kilometers).
Kazakhstan increases stake in key oil pipeline, boosts potential export capacityApril 30th, 2009 Kazakhs boost access to key oil export routeALMATY, Kazakhstan — Kazakh state oil company KazMunaiGaz struck a deal Thursday that will significantly boost its access to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the only oil pipeline on Russian territory not controlled by the Russian government. KazMunaiGaz will pay BP PLC $250 million for the British company's 49.9 percent stake in Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures, which holds a 1.75 percent interest in the CPC.
Russian, Bulgarian premiers iron out disagreements on South Stream gas pipelineApril 28th, 2009 Russia, Bulgaria shelve differences on pipelineMOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia and Bulgaria have set aside their differences over the proposed South Stream gas pipeline to Europe, paving the way for an agreement within the next couple of weeks. "We have no disagreements left," Putin said at a televised news conference with his Bulgarian counterpart.
Energy summit discusses rival projects to supply Europe with natural gas, agrees on diversityApril 25th, 2009 Gas summit agrees on diverse gas supply routesSOFIA, Bulgaria — European countries and major gas producers taking part at a high-level energy meeting agreed Saturday to establish diverse supply connections and guaranteed gas deliveries for their industries already plagued by the global economic downturn. The two-day meeting — dubbed "Natural Gas for Europe, Security and Partnership" — was attended by gas suppliers from the Caspian region, Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as importers from the Balkans and the European Union.
Submerged ancient city to see daylight in BulgariaFebruary 26th, 2009 SOFIA - Discovered under centuries-old layers of dirt in 1948, then submerged under 20 metres of water, the ancient city of Seuthopolis is to emerge once again in a bold rescue project in Bulgaria. The magnificently preserved city, founded by the Thracian king Seuthes III in 323 BC, was discovered in central Bulgaria during the construction of a dam on the Tundzha river.
Bulgaria to restart nuclear reactor in face of gas rowJanuary 16th, 2009 SOFIA - Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said Friday that his country would restart a Soviet-era nuclear power reactor at Kozloduy, in the face of severe ongoing gas shortages due to the energy dispute between Ukraine and Russia. Bulgarian news agency Focus reported that Stanishev said his government had decided to begin the 45-day technical preparation process to restart the reactor, because the country had still received no gas from its Russian supplier.
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