Black Sea gas a near possibility
Bulgaria is close to becoming a shareholder in the Han Asparuh gas exploration block in the Black Sea, according to Valentin Nikolov, head of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH). The invitation to join was first extended by French company TotalEnergies in July 2023, but the process has been under review by the Ministry of Energy since then.
TotalEnergies exited the project after more than 12 years of involvement and was replaced by Israeli firm NewMed, known for its stake in the Leviathan gas field. NewMed has now officially joined the consortium with OMV, which holds the exploration concession. In April, the two companies submitted plans for three exploratory drillings, estimated at around 90 million euro, to Bulgaria's Ministry of Environment.
More action needed over online terrorist content
The European Commission has initiated a new legal case against Bulgaria for failing to enforce EU regulations on combating terrorist content online, which have been in effect since mid-2022. The rules require that such content be removed within one hour of a removal order, but Bulgaria has not designated a competent authority to implement or monitor this. This is one of several ongoing infringement procedures, with Bulgaria also facing lawsuits for non-compliance with EU laws on access to legal counsel and road tolls.
Additionally, the Commission has extended procedures over Bulgaria's improper application of directives on drinking water and environmental noise, citing deficiencies in legislation and implementation. Responsibility for enforcing these directives falls under Bulgaria's Ministry of Environment.
Systemic corruption still under wraps
In court testimony, Kriystian Hristov, a former associate of Petyo Petrov ("The Euro") and Lyubena Pavlova, revealed disturbing details about alleged judicial corruption centered around the Sofia restaurant known as The Eight Dwarfs. Hristov stated that top magistrates, including former Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev, regularly visited the venue for off-the-record meetings, with some even receiving career advice and image coaching from Pavlova.
Hristov claimed he was illegally arrested in May 2023 just before holding a press conference where he intended to expose these connections and schemes. Hristov is also tied to the elevator company Izamet, which, according to previous revelations, was forcibly transferred to him under pressure from Petrov. His testimony supports broader claims of systemic corruption and influence peddling within the Bulgarian judiciary.
Black Sea gas a near possibility
Bulgaria is close to becoming a shareholder in the Han Asparuh gas exploration block in the Black Sea, according to Valentin Nikolov, head of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH). The invitation to join was first extended by French company TotalEnergies in July 2023, but the process has been under review by the Ministry of Energy since then.
