4930 | 14 Jan. 2026 | 13:20

"Bulgarian Energy Holding acquired 10% of the rights and obligations under the permit for the exploration of oil and natural gas in "Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh"."

The government has adopted the Annual Report on the State of National Security in the Republic of Bulgaria for 2024, announced the Government Information Service.
 

 The Council of Ministers approved the Annual Report on the State of National Security in the Republic of Bulgaria for 2024. The main goal of the document, prepared after summarizing the contributions of 27 institutions, is to present the analysis, assessment, and recommendations of the executive authorities regarding the challenges, risks, hazards, and threats to the country, as well as the effectiveness of the national security policy. The report acknowledges that the international security environment is characterized by high instability, escalating military conflicts, and expanding hybrid threats, which put the Republic of Bulgaria in a strategically risky position. The report presents the main activities of the ministries and agencies related to countering threats to national security. The main results from the work of the security services and public order services for the protection of national security are indicated. In accordance with Article 7, paragraph 1, point 3 of the Law on the Management and Functioning of the National Security Protection System, the report will be presented to the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

 Here are the rest of the decisions of the Council of Ministers:

 BEH EAD acquires 10% of the rights and obligations under the exploration permit for oil and natural gas in "Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh".

 Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH EAD) will acquire 10% of the rights and obligations under the exploration permit for oil and natural gas in "Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh", located in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Black Sea. At today's meeting, the Council of Ministers allowed BEH EAD to acquire 5% each of the rights and obligations of "OMV Offshore Bulgaria" GmbH and "Newmed Energy Balkan Limited", which are exploring the block. As a result of the partial transfer, "OMV Offshore Bulgaria GmbH" and "Neumed Energy Balkan Limited" will each have 45% of the rights and obligations under the granted exploration permit, while "Bulgarian Energy Holding" EAD will have 10%. The possibility of transferring rights and obligations under a granted exploration permit is regulated in Article 25, paragraphs 1 and 2, item 2 of the Underground Resources Act. "Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh" is located in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Bulgaria in the deep Black Sea. The exploration contract for this area has been in effect since September 2012. Exploration in the deep Black Sea is a key component of the government's efforts to diversify energy resources. They have the potential to significantly contribute to the energy security in the entire region of Southeast Europe. With today's decision, the Council of Ministers authorized the Minister of Energy to sign the necessary additional agreement to the contract for exploration and exploitation of oil and natural gas in Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh within one month.

 The Tariff for fees collected by the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission under the Energy Act is amended.

 The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted a resolution amending and supplementing the Tariff for fees collected by the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission under the Energy Act (the Tariff). The proposed changes are related to the introduction of the euro as the official currency in the Republic of Bulgaria from January 1, 2026. In this regard, all fee rates are technically recalculated from lev to euro, while following the rounding rules defined in the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria. The proposed changes aim to achieve clarity and legal certainty for licensees and interested parties regarding the amount of fees due after the introduction of the euro. The changes do not have any impact on the state budget or change the financial burden. Additionally, the Tariff is aligned with the current provisions of the Energy Act, the Renewable Energy Sources Act, and Regulation No. 3 from March 21, 2013. Government adopts changes to the licensing of activities in the energy sector. The government has also adopted a Decree amending and supplementing the Tariff for Fees collected by the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation under the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Regulation Act (Tariff). The amendments and supplements are related to the introduction of the euro as the official currency in the Republic of Bulgaria from January 1st, 2026, as well as streamlining the process of payment for the "E and S regulation" fee by water and sewerage operators. In this regard, all fees will be technically recalculated from Bulgarian levs to euros, while adhering to the rounding rules set out in the Law on the introduction of the euro in the Republic of Bulgaria. These changes will not have an impact on the state budget or result in a change in financial burden. Furthermore, the proposed amendments and additions regulate the payment of fees by water supply and sewerage operators in case of changes within the boundaries of designated areas according to the Water Law.

 Bulgaria's accession to the EC GOVSATCOM initiative and the establishment of a Competent Authority (CGA) within the Ministry of Innovation and Growth with the support of the Ministry of e-Governance has been approved.

 The Council of Ministers has adopted a decision to approve Bulgaria's accession to the EC GOVSATCOM initiative and the establishment of a Competent Authority (CGA) within the Ministry of Innovation and Growth with the support of the Ministry of e-Governance. The initiative aims to ensure long-term availability of reliable, secure, and cost-effective government satellite communication services for EU public institutions and national public authorities managing critical security missions and infrastructure. Inclusion in GOVSATCOM will support public services in areas such as crisis management, border and maritime security, and critical infrastructure management, providing communication tools even in areas without terrestrial coverage or in case of communication disruptions. Bulgaria's participation in the European initiative and the creation of a Competent Authority (CGA) will help position Bulgaria better in key European and international communication networks and establish it as a key player in the European ecosystem for secure communications and space technologies, with the possibility of actively participating in EU strategic initiatives and contributing to the strengthening of the Union's common security and sustainability.

 The government has ordered that assets owned by "Bulgarian Posts" EAD will be sold, including a property in the village of Ribaritsa, Teteven municipality, which is not being used for the company's activities. The Teteven municipality has expressed interest in purchasing the property for the needs of a kindergarten. The sale will be conducted at a price not lower than the market price, determined by an independent appraiser. Part of the measures to improve the company's financial state involve the sale of non-operating assets, which will lead to a decrease in operating expenses and an increase in revenue. "Bulgarian Posts" JSC will also sell a property in Dryanovo, which is not used for the company's activities, and at the same time its maintenance involves unnecessary costs. The municipality of Dryanovo has expressed interest in purchasing the property. The sale will be made at a price not lower than the market value set by an independent appraiser. Part of the measures to improve the company's financial state involve the sale of non-operating assets, which will lead to a decrease in operating expenses and an increase in revenue. The government changes the status of portions of properties by declaring them as private state-owned. They are buildings located in the areas of Chirpan, Gorno Sahrane, Tulovo, and Mikhailovo in Stara Zagora region. The buildings are in a poor technical condition and pose a safety hazard, therefore they will be demolished. This will allow for the implementation of the "Rehabilitation of the Plovdiv-Burgas railway, Phase 2" project. The Cabinet has changed the status of portions of properties by declaring them as private state-owned. They are buildings located in the areas of Dragoman, Petarch and Aldomirovtsi, Sofia region. The buildings will be removed from the assets of the National Company "Railway Infrastructure" for the implementation of the project "Development of the railway junction Sofia" and the project: "Modernization of the railway line Sofia - Dragoman - Serbian border, section Voluyak - Dragoman". The government has decided to expropriate private properties for the construction of the railway line Vidin - Sofia, between Vidin and Medkovets. The land is located in the land areas of the city of Brusartsi and the villages of Knyazheva mahala and Dabova mahala in the municipality of Brusartsi, Montana region. The section is part of the project "Design and construction of the railway line Vidin - Sofia: Update of the project and preparation of the railway section Vidin - Medkovets". The object is of national importance, part of the Trans-European transport corridor "Orient/Eastern Mediterranean" and the railway freight corridor "Orient corridor" of the TEN-T network, as well as part of the railway highway "Mezdra South - Ruska Byala and Mezdra - Vidin". The funds for compensating the owners are covered by the National Company "Railway Infrastructure". The decision can be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court within a 14-day period from its notification to interested parties in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Code. The Council of Ministers provides free management of five buildings in the municipality of Ivanovo, Ruse region, representing public state property for the needs of the Regional Historical Museum - Ruse. Two of the buildings are located within the territory of the National Archeological Reserve "Medieval City of Cherven" in the village of Cherven. They are designated for scientific and design activities - "Archaeological Base of Cherven" and for household services (sanitary facility). Three of the buildings are located within the territory of the National Archeological Reserve "Rock Churches - Ivanovo Village". They include a building for scientific and design activities - "Restoration Base - Rock Churches Ivanovo Village", a storage base, and a building for household services (sanitary facility). The properties will be used for the needs of the Museum for research, management, and preservation of cultural heritage. Through the full utilization of the available tourist resources, the municipality of Ivanovo will become a recognizable and competitive tourist destination, leading to growth in the local economy and the creation of additional jobs. The Council of Ministers adopted a decision to establish in favor of "University Specialized Hospital for Active Oncology Treatment" "Prof. Ivan Chernozemski" EAD ("USBAO "Prof. Ivan Chernozemski" EAD), a perpetual and remunerated right to build for the construction of a cyclotron complex with a radiochemical laboratory on a regulated land plot /Plot/ I "for oncological institute", quarter 13, m. "Druzhnitsa", district "Student", Sofia municipality, city. Sofia, and according to the cadastral map a plot of land with identifier 68134.1603.8 (previously identified as 68134.1603.51), in accordance with design visa number SAG25-GR00-1049D1 issued on 29.05.2025 by the Chief Architect of Sofia Municipality. The implementation of the project will provide the "Prof. Ivan Chernozemsky" JSC with an independent source for producing key radiopharmaceuticals, as well as for innovative metabolic radiotherapies that are currently not available in Bulgaria. The cyclotron complex with a radiochemical laboratory will significantly expand the medical services offered in the region for better diagnosis and treatment of various cancer conditions. Properties that will not be used by the State Enterprise "Port Infrastructure" are provided for free management to the Ministry of Interior. The change is dictated by the urgent need to provide suitable building facilities for the normal functioning of the Tutrakan Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior - Silistra. The decision does not require additional budget expenses and will not have an impact on the state budget. The Council of Ministers appointed Dimitar Ivanov as Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Nis. The Council of Ministers appointed Dimitar Petrov Ivanov as Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Nis, Republic of Serbia, with a consular district encompassing seven districts in the southeastern part of the country. Mr. Ivanov is an experienced diplomat with a longstanding professional career in the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Consul General in Bitola and as Director of the "Security" Directorate. He holds a degree in engineering, a Master's degree in radio electronics, and is proficient in English and Russian. The Consulate General in Nis provides consular services to Bulgarian citizens, maintains contacts with local authorities, and supports the Bulgarian national minority, while also developing bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Serbia. The Council of Ministers has made a decision to appoint Petar Boyanov Petrov as the general consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia, with a consulate district spanning several municipalities in the southwestern part of the country. Mr. Petrov is a career diplomat with extensive experience and expertise in the Western Balkans region, having held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bulgarian diplomatic missions in Sarajevo, Pristina, and Skopje. The General Consulate in Bitola provides consular services to Bulgarian citizens, maintains contacts with local authorities, and works towards developing bilateral relations, supporting the Bulgarian community and preserving Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. The government approved the report from the meeting of the General Affairs Council, held on December 16. The Council of Ministers approved the report from the meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) held on December 16, 2025 in Brussels. The GAC prepared the meeting of the European Council on December 18-19, by discussing the draft conclusions on topics such as the MFF, EU enlargement, geo-economics and competitiveness, migration, and foreign policy. Ministers discussed the EU enlargement policy based on a conclusions text that was supported by 26 member states as conclusions of the Presidency. The General Affairs Council held a discussion on the revised negotiation box for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, with negotiations continuing in 2026. The Danish Presidency and the incoming Cypriot Presidency presented the roadmap for the European Semester in 2026. The EC presented the Annual Review Report for 2025 on simplification, implementation and enforcement, as well as the Annual Progress Report for 2025 on simplification, implementation and enforcement in the field of cohesion and reforms. The Council of Ministers has adopted changes in regulatory acts related to the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution amending regulatory acts, prepared by the Ministry of Interior, in connection with the upcoming introduction of the euro as the official currency in the Republic of Bulgaria, effective from January 1st, 2026. The changes aim to ensure full compliance of the current regulatory framework with the new currency, as well as to guarantee legal clarity, security, and predictability in monetary relations between state institutions, citizens, and businesses. The changes affect a number of decisions and regulations applied by the Ministry of Interior, including instructions and normative acts that regulate financial payments, compensations, fees, and other relationships expressed in Bulgarian lev. All monetary values, previously stated in the national currency, will be converted to euros, strictly adhering to the requirements of European regulations and principles of accuracy and consistency. The project has been developed in accordance with the National Plan for the introduction of the euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and in line with the government-adopted Law on the introduction of the euro. According to the Law on Normative Acts, the draft has been published for public consultation on the website of the Ministry of Interior and on the Portal for Public Consultations for a period of 30 days. All received opinions and suggestions have been analyzed and reflected in the final version of the decree. The principles of transparency, efficiency, and protection of the public interest have been taken into account in the preparation of the changes. No new administrative burdens are being introduced, nor are additional obligations being imposed on citizens and organizations. The decree aims solely to synchronize the texts in the current regulatory framework with the change in the currency unit. The adoption of these changes is an important step in the process of preparing for Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone and ensures a smooth transition of administrative and financial procedures to working with the new currency. This guarantees consistency and stability in the regulatory framework, as well as readiness of the state administration to apply legislation in the conditions of a new monetary environment. The concession contract for the "Luda Yana" deposit will be extended by 13 years. This was decided by the Council of Ministers at its meeting today, accepting the change requested by the concessionaire - "GEO-MARK 2020" EOOD. The company justifies their request with the presence of remaining reserves in the mine, which would remain untouched. The possibility of extending the term of the concession contract is regulated in Art. 36, para. 2 of the Underground Resources Act. The Council of Ministers also changed the scope and amount of the bank guarantee owed by the concessionaire. In the future, it will ensure the fulfillment of all (not just monetary) contractual obligations and conditions for the concession to be carried out. So far, the concessionaire has provided the necessary bank guarantee in accordance with the old rules, valid as of the date of the contract signing. After the introduction of a wider scope of the bank guarantee, the contributions for reclamation will also be financially secured with it. Today's decision of the Council of Ministers includes updating the contractual clauses regulating the control powers of the Minister of Energy, as well as the responsibilities of the concessionaire in case of failure to fulfill contractual obligations. The concession agreement for the Luda Yana deposit was signed in 2008 for a period of 15 years. The deposit produces construction materials - ballast (sand and gravel). The government approved the results of the meeting of the "Justice" Council held in Brussels. The Council of Ministers also approved a report by the Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev on the results of Bulgaria's participation in the meeting of the "Justice and Home Affairs" Council, section "Justice", held on December 9, 2025 in Brussels. During the discussions, the Ministers of Justice of the EU have approved the Council's Conclusions on model provisions for the substantive criminal law of the EU, aimed at facilitating consistency, coordination and effectiveness of legislative acts. In the discussions on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Minister Georgiev expressed Bulgaria's position on the significant role of the Special Tribunal for Crimes of "Aggression" against Ukraine, as well as the International Criminal Court. The Ministers of Justice were briefed by the Danish Presidency on actions taken in relation to the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime following the adoption of the EU roadmap on these issues in October 2023. The new strategy of the EU for fighting drug use and the action plan against drug trafficking, published on December 4th, 2025, has been presented. The ministers have been informed by the EC about the adopted package for digital justice and judicial training. The topic of discussion was also judicial cooperation with third countries in the fight against organized crime. The government will provide additional assistance of 1550 euros to those affected by natural disasters in 2026. The government will also allocate an additional 1,550 euros of aid to families affected by natural disasters in 2026. This will support people whose properties were damaged by hurricane winds in the first days of the new year. The budget of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has allocated 200,000 euros for the payment of these funds. The aid will be an addition to the one-time aid for overcoming incidentally arisen needs, which is granted under the Social Assistance Law and amounts to up to 1,172 euros. In the same way, the cabinet supported households whose properties were affected by the fires and floods in 2025, on the proposal of Minister Borislav Gutsanov. The aid of 1,550 euros will be received based on a list, which will be approved by the executive director of the Social Assistance Agency, upon submitted applications from affected households. The one-time financial aid will be paid out by the "Social Assistance" directorates at the present address. The National Council on Demographic Policy will activate its activity with a new composition. The National Council on Demographic Policy will be in a new composition, after the government adopted a decree for its renewal. The goal is to activate its activity, which is of key importance for the implementation of a joint coordinated policy among all organizations involved in dealing with demographic issues. The Council is an advisory body to the government for cooperation and coordination between state bodies and institutions, local government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the development, planning and implementation of state demographic policy. He supports the Council of Ministers in achieving the management objectives for slowing down population decline, adapting social systems and sectoral policies to its ageing population and increasing workforce age, improving the health and educational status of Bulgarian citizens, etc. With the changes, the composition of the Council is also brought in line with the structure of the Council of Ministers. The government approved the report on Bulgaria's participation in the meeting of the Council of the European Union on agriculture and fisheries. The Council of Ministers approved the results and decisions taken at the meeting of the Council of the European Union on agriculture and fisheries, held on December 11-12, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In the area of fisheries, the Council reached a political agreement on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the fishing opportunities for 2026 in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. For the Republic of Bulgaria, the fishing opportunities for turbot amount to 86.3 tonnes, including the retention of our country's quota of 82.5 tonnes, supplemented by 3.8 tonnes of unused quantity from 2024. In the field of agriculture, the Council held an orientation debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027, which focused on innovation and simplification. In the following discussion, ministers emphasized that innovation and access to new technologies are of crucial importance for ensuring competitiveness and generational renewal, and that young farmers are a key driver of innovation. They further stressed the ongoing need for farmers to have access to training and consultations in the field of agriculture. Regarding simplification, the Council highlighted the importance of providing flexibility and therefore considering the number of mandatory elements in the Commission's proposal. While some ministers acknowledged some elements of simplification, others pointed out that the structure of the proposal is a step in the wrong direction for the context of the Commission's program for simplifying legislation. The Council emphasized that increased innovation requires sufficient funding and a more streamlined regulatory framework. Many delegations highlighted the importance of the European competitiveness fund in this regard. The government approved the outcomes of the meeting of the EU Environment Council. The government approved the report on the outcomes of the meeting of the Council of the European Union on Environment, held on December 16, 2025 in Brussels. Ministers Discuss EU Strategy for Bioeconomy, Bulgaria Emphasizes Need for Scientific Stability in Evaluating Biomass Sustainability and Ensuring Full Compliance with Climate and Energy Requirements. Our Country Calls for Support for Regions with Lower Innovation Capacity and SMEs, as well as Investments in Sustainable Agriculture, Transparent Funding, While Taking into Account National Specificities. Ministers Adopt Conclusions on the Environment in Europe for 2030, Highlighting the Need for a Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Europe that Develops a Circular Economy. The focus was placed on the need for effective implementation, simplified rules and a strong single market, taking into account national specificities, secondary raw material markets and social justice. Bulgaria emphasized the importance of improving data and monitoring systems, as well as providing stable and predictable funding. As part of the meeting, the European Commission presented the Omnibus VIII legislative package to simplify environmental legislation, along with the Annual Report on simplification, implementation and enforcement. Bulgaria called for adherence to the principle of subsidiarity and limiting administrative burden in order to ensure legal and regulatory clarity. Funds approved for restoration and conservation of the murals in the Cathedral of "St. Dimitar Solunski" - Vidin. The Council of Ministers has approved funding of 1,942,940 euros for capital expenses for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchy, for the restoration and conservation of the murals in the Cathedral of "St. Dimitar Solunski" - Vidin. The preservation, conservation and restoration of the cathedral are of great importance for the preservation of cultural, religious and architectural heritage in the Vidin region. "Bulgarian Posts" receive additional funds for exchanging lev to euros. The government has allocated an additional 25 million euros to "Bulgarian Posts" EAD in the form of revolving credit. The funds are intended to provide for the exchange of Bulgarian Lev into Euros at post offices and to meet the significant interest in this service at these locations. In just the first week, approximately 30 million Lev have been exchanged within the Bulgarian Post network, and there have been requests for almost 26 million more. Based on actual requests, the calculations for amounts ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 Lev so far have shown the need for a second additional funding for working capital to ensure smooth provision of the service. The financial assistance provided to the company will be reimbursed from the budget of the Ministry of Transport and Communications by September 30, 2026. The government approved the results of Bulgarian participation in the Council of Ministers for Transport The Council of Ministers approved the results of Bulgaria's participation in the EU Council meeting on transport, telecommunications and energy, in the format "Transport", which took place on December 4, 2025 in Brussels. Within the legislative part, the ministers reached a common approach on three key proposals in the field of land transport. Bulgaria supported the compromise text on the Directive on weights and dimensions, emphasizing the need for balanced solutions that simultaneously promote the transition to low-emission vehicles and ensure the protection of road infrastructure. The country focuses on the preserved load on the driving axle, possibilities for derogations, and the specific challenges arising from the transit nature of the Bulgarian road network. The Council adopted a common approach on all three legislative proposals from the Technical Inspection Package, related to periodic technical inspections, roadside checks, and vehicle registration documents and data. Bulgaria supported the compromise texts, emphasizing that road safety is a strategic national priority, and expressed readiness for further harmonization at a European level, especially regarding odometer data and measures to combat fraud. The country noted that together with Ireland and Croatia it would support even more ambitious texts in the fight against odometer fraud. Within the "Other Issues" point, the French declaration to encourage the purchase of European electric vehicles was discussed. Bulgaria welcomes the initiative, but insists on a regulatory framework that takes into account infrastructure readiness, social acceptability, technological neutrality, and the need to protect European industrial competitiveness. During the political discussion on the new Regulation on the Connecting Europe Facility (2028-2034), Bulgaria proposed that the strategic railway section Ruse - Gorna Oryahovitsa be included in the annex of the regulation, including as a branch of the Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Varna route. The country emphasizes that the segment is crucial for cross-border connectivity, military mobility and the development of the "Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea" corridor, reminding that the Sofia-Skopje route is already included in the instrument. The government approved funding for transfers to municipalities by 2026. With its decision, the Council of Ministers approved funding for transfers to municipalities for 2026 in the amount of 66,384.5 thousand euros, ensuring the continuity and timely execution of socially significant activities, projects and programs in the respective municipalities. It is planned to pay subsidies for passenger transportation on non-profitable bus lines in local and mountainous areas, as well as for compensating for reduced revenue from travel prices, as determined in the regulatory acts for certain categories of passengers according to article 4, paragraph 1 of the final provisions of the Law on Road Transport. Funds are also provided for transport of children and students according to article 283, paragraph 2 of the Law on Preschool and School Education for the first quarter of 2026, amounting to 61 432,8 thousand euros for municipalities. Funds are provided for the completion of a project of exceptional importance and great public significance for the municipality of Burgas - the construction of a Multi-Profile hospital for active treatment of children's diseases "St. Anastasia". евро With the provided funds in the amount of 2,300.8 thousand euros, the final completion of the project will be ensured. Funding in the amount of 1,220.0 thousand euros is provided for priority archaeological sites, with the aim of providing support for the development of cultural and historical tourism in Bulgaria, without interrupting the activities already started at the sites. In order to cover part of the transportation costs incurred by municipalities under contracts for the supply of bread and basic foodstuffs for 2026 in mountainous and small settlements with a population of up to 500 residents (excluding resorts), additional funding of 591.4 thousand euros is proposed to be approved by the municipalities' budgets from the beginning of 2026. The draft act proposes the provision of funding in the amount of 429.5 thousand euros. 410,000 euros for the continuation of the activities of the Recovery Center for Children with Oncological and Hematological Diseases in the village of Opitsvet, Kostinbrod municipality in 2026. Funds amounting to 410,000 euros are envisaged for the continuation of the implementation of a municipal health program in 2026 in Velingrad municipality, in order to provide support to the healthcare services for the residents of the municipality. The resolution project will ensure uninterrupted provision of medical care in 2026. The funding is carried out on the basis of Art. 3, para. 3 of the Revenue and Expenditure Collection Act in 2026 until the adoption of the State Budget Act of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026, the Social Security Budget Act for 2026 and the National Health Insurance Fund Budget Act for 2026. The government has approved the report on the results of the regular meeting of the Council of the European Union on economic and financial issues (ECOFIN), which took place on December 12, 2025 in Brussels. At the meeting, the European Commission presented the package for market infrastructure and effective supervision. It is an important part of the Capital Markets Union, with the common goal of accelerating the integration of capital markets in the EU by removing barriers to the provision of services on the internal market. The ECOFIN Council reviewed the progress made on the package for the single currency, which includes initiatives for a digital euro and measures to strengthen the status of the euro as legal tender in the EU. There was a strong willingness to reach a common approach on the package before the end of the Danish presidency. The ministers reached an agreement to apply, as of 1 July 2026, a fixed fee of 3 euros for small parcels worth less than 150 euros entering the EU mainly through e-commerce. Participants discussed the economic consequences of EU legislation and approved conclusions on simplifying the regulatory framework for financial services. The European Commission presented the 2026 Early Warning Report, which marks the beginning of the annual Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure within the European Semester. The Commission's report on the Excessive Deficit Procedure was also discussed. Ministers approved the revised Code of Conduct on implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact. The President of the European Court of Auditors presented the key findings and main messages in the annual report on financial year 2024. In another decision, the government approved the position of our country for participation in the regular meeting of the Council of the European Union for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), which will be held on January 20, 2026 in Brussels. During the meeting, the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council will present its priorities in the field of economic and financial issues. The agenda includes discussions on the economic and financial consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Within the framework of the European semester, the ministers will adopt Conclusions on the Early Warning Report for 2026. ECOFIN is expected to approve changes in the recovery and sustainability plans of Spain, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland and will issue a recommendation to Finland to end the excessive deficit in the country. The government approved the signing of a contract for the "Repair of Port Infrastructure and Deepening of the VMB-Varna Water Area". The Council of Ministers has decided to grant permission to the Minister of Defense to sign a contract for the "Repair of Port Infrastructure and Deepening of the VMB-Varna Water Area (PR 1318)", which is of significant interest to the security of the country. The repair is necessary for the acceptance, deployment and servicing of the newly acquired combat ships and corresponding equipment. The project includes repair and expansion of the port infrastructure, construction of facilities for maintenance and deployment of the newly acquired ships and deepening of the waters of the Naval Base - Varna. An investment plan for "Acquisition of Mine Hunters" was adopted. The Council of Ministers approved the investment plan for "Acquisition of Mine Hunters". Based on the calculations made in the period 2019-2020 in the Ministry of Defense, the need for a gradual replacement of the existing anti-mine ships in the Bulgarian Navy with depleted operational and technical resources was identified. The overall framework for time and scope was set out in the adopted "Program for the development of the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria - 2032", "Plan for the development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2026", and subsequently the necessary financial framework with the adoption of the "Defense Investment Program until 2032". The outbreak of war between the Republic of Ukraine and the Russian Federation in early 2022 has greatly increased the mine danger in the Black Sea. This necessitated a reassessment of the assumptions made and a correction of the calculations for the required number of minesweepers, which will be necessary to overcome the mine danger in the maritime domain in practice within the framework of the three missions of the Armed Forces. In this regard, with the aim of fulfilling national commitments to ensure the safety of navigation and meeting the requirements of the "Capability Goals" package regarding the mitigation of the growing mine threat, the Council of Ministers has approved an investment project for the acquisition of mine countermeasure vessels. The goal of the project is to develop the mine countermeasure capabilities of the Bulgarian Navy for long-term implementation of necessary actions to maintain maritime security in national maritime spaces (NMS) and to participate at the level of ambition of NATO and EU actions and operations to overcome the mine threat in the maritime domain. The scope of the PIR includes the acquisition of 7 "minehunter" ships, equipped with modern equipment for detection, identification and destruction of mines and mine-like objects. The presence of these ships will allow the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to the Navy for ensuring defense and maritime security in national maritime spaces, providing assistance to national structures, and fulfilling the country's international commitments. In this regard and based on Art. 22, para. 2, item 11a of the Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Council of Ministers adopted the Project for Investment Expense "Acquisition of minehunters". With funds from the state budget, the Sofia Regional Administration will reconstruct the wall of the "Beli Iskar" dam. The Council of Ministers has decided to cancel item 2 of Decision No. 740 of the Council of Ministers from 2020, which outlines actions to ensure long-term stability of water supply in the capital city. This cancels the obligation of "Bulgarian Water and Sewage Holding" JSC to perform the reconstruction of the wall of the "Beli Iskar" dam. The dam is owned by the state, and management has been entrusted to the regional governor of Sofia Region, based on Article 18 of the State Ownership Act. Based on the provisions of the Water Act, maintenance and repair-recovery activities of dams, hydrotechnical and protective structures are provided by the owners. In connection with this, and according to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the activities for the reconstruction of the dam wall of the Beli Iskar Dam and its facilities will be carried out by the Sofia District Administration, with funding from the state budget. The Council of Ministers noted the results of the regular meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers of the EU. The Council of Ministers also noted the report on Bulgaria's participation in the regular meeting of the EU Council "Transport, Telecommunications and Energy", section "Energy", held on December 15, 2025 in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium. During the meeting, a partial common approach was achieved by the Council on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the European Connectivity Mechanism for the period 2028-2034. The mandate is "partial" as it excludes financial and cross-sectoral issues - currently being discussed as part of the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework. In the spirit of compromise, Bulgaria supported the Council's partial common approach, while presenting its own proposals for possible additional actions on the development of the energy and transport provisions of the draft act. The Ministers of the Member States held a debate on the European Networks Package, presented by the EC on December 10, 2025. The main goal of the initiative is the modernization and expansion of European networks in order to achieve faster electrification and provide citizens and businesses with access to secure and clean energy. Bulgaria supported the presentation of the package, emphasizing the need for joint efforts and close cooperation to overcome difficulties and maintain security, while also adhering to the principle of technological neutrality and implementing energy storage facilities on a network scale. Priorities include simplifying the investment process and increasing competitiveness. Bulgaria will participate as a recipient country under the Financial Mechanism for Renewable Energy. The Council of Ministers decided on their meeting today in response to an invitation from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy to declare a binding interest for 2026. The European Commission plans to announce a procedure through the Financial Mechanism, which will provide investment support for projects carried out in Bulgaria and Finland as beneficiary countries. The financial resource is provided by Luxembourg. The total budget for the procedure is 55 million euros. The procedure will fund projects for ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants with battery storage systems in Bulgaria and those for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems in Finland. In Bulgaria, the projects should be located in the three coal regions - Pernik, Kyustendil and Stara Zagora, with facilities expected to operate for at least 15 years after being put into operation. The management of the procedure - announcing the call, selecting, evaluating the project proposals and monitoring their implementation - will be carried out by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. Public or private legal entities from any country in the world may apply for funding. Bulgaria's participation in the Financial Mechanism as a recipient country will provide investment support for combined projects for the construction of photovoltaic power plants with energy storage systems, which will allow for an increase in installed capacity using solar energy and an increase in the consumption of environmentally friendly energy in the country. The geographical location of the projects in the country's three coal regions will complement the financial instruments that are being implemented in accordance with the territorial plans for a fair transition and will support the energy transition in these regions. The Ministry of Energy receives additional funds for activities related to the construction of a national repository for radioactive waste. This was decided at today's meeting of the Council of Ministers. According to decision № 683 of the Council of Ministers from 25 July 2005, the National Repository is being built by the State Enterprise "Radioactive Waste" (SE "RAW") as the contracting authority, and all activities of the SE "RAW" are financed from the "Radioactive Waste" and "Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities" funds, which are part of the ME budget. Additional expenses in the amount of 17 million leva have been approved by Resolution № 47 of the Council of Ministers from 8 May 2025. The funds are included in the project for the state budget for 2026, approved by the Council of Ministers, which was not accepted by the National Assembly. The construction of the National Repository for Radioactive Waste (NRRW) is an obligation of the Republic of Bulgaria under Directive 2011/70/EURATOM from July 19, 2011, according to which each member state is responsible for the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste generated in it. The construction of the NRRW in Bulgaria is funded by a grant from the International Fund "Kozloduy" and national co-financing. The government has made a decision regarding the presence of a key interest related to national security in the implementation of the project for the design and construction of a factory for the production of energy materials and charges, and a factory for the production of 155 mm shells. The Council of Ministers has adopted a decision on the presence of a key interest related to national security in the implementation of the project for the design, construction, author's supervision and commissioning of production facilities of the factory for the production of energy materials and charges, and the factory for the production of 155 mm shells, including the realization of the necessary auxiliary activities. The contractor for the design, construction, author's supervision and commissioning of the production facilities is "Iganovo" JSC with Unified Identification Code: 208559196. Sole shareholder trade company in the sense of Art. 64, para. 1, item 4 of the Commercial Law, in connection with Art. 158 and the next ones, in which the rights of the state as a sole owner of the capital are exercised by the Minister of Economy and Industry. The company was created with the aim of implementing a project for the construction of a plant for the production of energy materials and chargers, as well as a plant for the production of 155mm ammunition, with an initial capital of 50,000 leva. "Mineral 2000" Ltd. is the new concessionaire of the "Raffaello" deposit. The Sofia-based company "Mineral 2000" Ltd. is the new concessionaire of the "Raffaello" deposit, from which construction materials - varovitsi are extracted. This was decided by the Council of Ministers at its meeting today, approving the change requested by the previous concessionaire. The "Raffaello" deposit is located in the territory of Makresh municipality, Vidin region. The concession for it was granted in December 2010 for a period of 25 years to "Kiryaksi var" LTD. The possibility of transferring rights and obligations under the granted concession is regulated in Article 25, paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, item 2 of the Underground Wealth Law. With today's decision of the Council of Ministers, it is also envisaged to send a proposal to the new concessionaire to amend some of the clauses of the concession agreement. This concerns the relationships related to providing a bank guarantee for each year of the concession period. Currently, the requested bank guarantee covers 10% of the concessionaire's monetary obligations. After the changes, it will cover 100% of all (not just monetary) obligations related to the fulfillment of the concession agreement. Following the expansion of the scope of the bank guarantee, the contributions for recultivation will also be financially secured with it. With its decision today, the Council of Ministers authorized the Minister of Energy to conclude an additional agreement with the parties within one month for the transfer of rights and obligations under the concession and for amendment and supplement of the concession agreement. "MEDEKOM 2023" Ltd. is the new concessionaire of the "Erekovishte" deposit. The company "Medekom 2023" Ltd. from the town of Gotse Delchev is the new concessionaire of the "Erekovishte" deposit, from which are extracted stone facing materials - gneisses, gneiss schists and amphibolites. This was decided by the Council of Ministers at its meeting today, approving the change requested by the previous concessionaire. The "Erkovishte" deposit is located in the Blagoevgrad region. Its concession was granted to ET "Rumen Arnaudov-Ayten Arnaudova", village of Pletena, in February 2013 for a period of 35 years. The possibility of transferring rights and obligations under the concession is regulated by Article 25, paragraphs 1 and 2, item 2 of the Underground Resources Act. With today's decision, the Council of Ministers authorized the Minister of Energy to conclude an additional agreement with the parties within one month for the transfer of rights and obligations under the granted concession. The Council of Ministers approved funding of 1,732,385 euros for programs of the National Fund "Culture". The Council of Ministers also approved funding for the Ministry of Culture for 2026. The amount of 1,732,385 euros has been allocated to the programs of the National Fund "Culture". The funds will ensure the implementation of unpaid contracts for the financing of creative projects of state, municipal and private cultural organizations, signed in 2025. The funding will be directed towards the budget program "National Fund "Culture" and will support the realization of significant cultural initiatives throughout the country. The beneficiaries who have applied are state, municipal, and private cultural organizations. The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution for the transformation of the Kustendil Municipal Drama Theater into a Regional Cultural Institute. The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution for the transformation of the Kustendil Municipal Drama Theater into a Regional Cultural Institute - Kustendil. The transformation is initiated by the Municipal Council of Kyustendil in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Protection and Development of Culture and is coordinated with the regional governor. The new cultural institute will aim to create, distribute and preserve cultural values ​​in the fields of theater, music, visual arts, literature, cinema, dance, folklore and other areas of art. Its activities will cover the territory of the municipalities of Kyustendil, Nevestino and Treklyano. The transformation will lead to an expansion of the scope of cultural activity in the region, an increase in access to cultural products for various audiences - including children, youth and people with special needs, as well as strengthening cultural exchange with neighboring countries. The Regional Cultural Institute will support creators and cultural organizations, develop interdisciplinary and multi-genre projects, encourage collaboration with higher and secondary art and culture schools, and include young creators in the cultural life of the region. The building of the current theater - with a large and chamber hall, a cinema hall, exhibition spaces, and rehearsal rooms - will continue to be used for the needs of the new cultural institute. Funding has been approved for the Ministry of Health The Council of Ministers has approved funding for the Ministry of Health for 2026 in the amount of 1,904,800 euros for the purchase of a vaccine against varicella as a mandatory immunization for children aged 12-15 months, included in the Immunization Calendar of the Republic of Bulgaria. Funding of 931,400 euros has been approved for the purchase of a vaccine against infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a targeted immunization for pregnant women during the period from the 24th to the 36th week of pregnancy. Proposals for including new vaccines in the immunization policy of the Republic of Bulgaria are made by the National Expert Council on Immunizations. The necessary regulatory changes have been made in Regulation No. 15 on Immunizations in the Republic of Bulgaria. Varicella is one of the most contagious diseases transmitted through airborne droplets, with widespread global distribution and significant health and social impact. In the absence of a preventative measure, varicella is an unmanageable infection. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause mild flu-like symptoms as well as severe illness and death in babies under six months of age, with babies under 2 months of age being the most affected group. Vaccination of pregnant women against RSV is crucial in protecting the health of both the mothers and their newborns. It provides protection for infants during the early months of life.