When leaders fail to lead themselves

February 15, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, Missions, News

A leader who lacks character or integrity will not endure the test of time. It doesn’t matter how intelligent, affable, persuasive, or savvy a person is, if they are prone to rationalizing unethical behavior based upon current or future needs, they will eventually fall prey to their own undoing. Optics over ethics is not a formula for success.

Cup & Cross Ministries Offers Ministry Leadership Table

Empowered by the vision for a continuous revival within the church of the 21st century, we have chosen to make the mission of our work this one statement: We help churches grow.

One of the approaches we have taken to accomplish this ministry goal is Consulting and Coaching:

  • We have successfully worked with over 50 churches toward their effective missions programs and growth through (1) leadership training and team building seminars, (2) in-depth case study of church and ministry evaluations and (3) implementing individually designed strategies for ministry development
  • Currently, our team provides continuous education to over 200 church leaders and ministry teams around the world through teaching and lecturing on a weekly basis along with daily prayer support
  • We extend our efforts toward church growth by helping build strong family connections through relations counseling and parenting classes implementing play therapy as Board Certified LPC

Beside personal presence and team building strategies, we implement the media in virtually every approach of ministry. We have published several research monographs as well as film series about our ministry work. Our team holds a weekly TV program called the Bible Hour. (Learn how we help churches build their own and unique web presence)

Areas of Ministry:

  • Evangelism & Missions
  • Leadership Training
  • Digital Discipleship
  • Mobile Bible School
  • Church Growth
  • Chaplaincy
  • Christian Counseling
Daily Ministry Reach:

  • Services 1-3
  •  Continents 3
  • Churches 144-179
  • Bible verse via text 3,416
  • LIVE Church Platform 1,600

Read also:  Church of God Eastern Europe Missions: Leadership, Economics and Culture

Bulgarian Congregationalists

February 10, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, News

Congregationalists (called “Evangelicals” in Bulgaria, the word “Protestant” is not used [3] ) were among the first Protestant missionaries to the Ottoman Empire and to the Northwestern part of the European Ottoman Empire which is now Bulgaria, where their work to convert these Orthodox Christians was unhampered by the death penalty imposed by the Ottomans on Muslim converts to Christianity.[4] These missionaries were significant contributors to the Bulgarian National Revival movement. Today, Protestantism in Bulgaria represents the third largest religious group, behind Orthodox and Muslim. Missionaries from the United States first arrived in 1857–58, sent to Istanbul by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). The ABCFM was proposed in 1810 by the Congregationalist graduates of Williams College, MA, and was chartered in 1812 to support missions by Congregationalists, Presbyterian (1812–1870), Dutch-Reformed (1819–1857) and other denominational members.[5] The ABCFM focused its efforts on southern Bulgaria and the Methodist Church on the region north of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina, or “Old Mountains”). In 1857, Cyrus Hamlin and Charles Morse established three missionary centres in southern Bulgaria – in Odrin (Edirne, former capital city of the Ottoman Empire, in Turkey), Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. They were joined in 1859 by Russian born naturalized America Frederic Flocken in 1859.[6] American Presbyterian Minister Elias Riggs commissioned, supported and edited the work of Bulgarian monk Neofit Rilski to create a Bible translations into Bulgarian which was then distributed widely in Bulgaria in 1871 and thereafter. This effort was supported by Congregationalist missionary Albert Long, Konstantin Fotinov, Hristodul Sechan-Nikolov and Petko Slaveikov.[7] Reportedly, 2,000 copies of the newly translated Bulgarian language New Testament were sold within the first two weeks.

Congregational churches were established in BanskoVeliko Turnovo, and Svishtov between 1840 to 1878, followed by Sofia in 1899. By 1909, there were 19 Congregational churches, with a total congregation of 1,456 in southern Bulgaria offering normal Sunday services, Sunday schools for children, biblical instruction for adults; as well as women’s groups and youth groups. Summer Bible schools were held annually from 1896 to 1948.[8]

Congregationalists led by Dr James F. Clarke opened Bulgaria’s first Protestant primary school for boys in Plovdiv in 1860, followed three years later by a primary school for girls in Stara Zagora. In 1871 the two schools were moved toSamokov and merged as the American College, now considered the oldest American educational institution outside the US. In 1928, new facilities were constructed in Sofia, and the Samokov operation transferred to the American College of Sofia (ACS), now operated at a very high level by the Sofia American Schools, Inc.[9]

In 1874, a Bible College was opened in Ruse, Bulgaria for people wanting to become pastors. At the 1876 annual conference of missionaries, the beginning of organizational activity in the country was established. The evangelical churches of Bulgaria formed a united association in 1909.[10]

The missionaries played a significant role in assisting the Bulgarians throw off “the Turkish Yoke”, which included publishing the magazine Zornitsa (Зорница, “Dawn”), founded in 1864 by the initiative of Riggs and Long.[11] Zornitsa became the most powerful and most widespread newspaper of the Bulgarian Renaissance.[12] A small roadside marker on Bulgarian Highway 19 in the Rila Mountains, close to Gradevo commemorates the support given the Bulgarian Resistance by these early Congregationalist missionaries.

On 3 September 1901 Congregationalist missionaries came to world attention in the Miss Stone Affair when missionary Ellen Maria Stone,[13] of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and her pregnant fellow missionary friend Macedonian-Bulgarian Katerina Stefanova–Tsilka, wife of an Albanian Protestant minister, were kidnapped while traveling between Bansko and Gorna Dzhumaya (now Blagoevgrad), by an Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization detachment led by the voivoda Yane Sandanski and the sub-voivodas Hristo Chernopeev and Krǎstyo Asenov and ransomed to provide funds for revolutionary activities. Eventually, a heavy ransom (14,000 Ottoman lira (about US$62,000 at 1902 gold prices or $5 million at 2012 gold prices) raised by public subscription in the USA was paid on 18 January 1902 in Bansko and the hostages (now including a newborn baby) were released on 2 February near Strumica—a full five months after being kidnapped. Widely covered by the media at the time, the event has been often dubbed “America’s first modern hostage crisis”.

The Bulgarian royal house, of Catholic German extraction, was unsympathetic to the American inspired Protestants, and this mood became worse when Bulgaria sided with Germany in WWI and WWII.[14] Matters became much worse when the Bulgarian Communist Party took power in 1944. Like the Royal Family, it too saw Protestantism closely linked to the West and hence more politically dangerous than traditional Orthodox Christianity. This prompted repressive legislation in the form of “Regulations for the Organization and Administration of the Evangelical Churches in the People’s Republic of Bulgaria” and resulted in the harshest government repression, possibly the worst in the entire Eastern Bloc, intended to extinguish Protestantism altogether. Mass arrests of pastors (and often their families), torture, long prison sentences (including four life sentences) and even disappearance were common. Similar tactics were used on parishioners. In fifteen highly publicized mock show-trials between 8 February and 8 March 1949, all the accused pastors confessed to a range of charges against them, including treason, spying (for both the US and Yugoslavia (!)), black marketing, and various immoral acts. State appointed pastors were foist on surviving congregations. As late as the 1980s, imprisonment and exile were still employed to destroy the remaining Protestant churches. The Congregationalist magazine “Zornitsa” was banned; Bibles became unobtainable.[15] As a result, the number of Congregationalists is small, and estimated by Paul Mojzes in 1982 to number about 5,000, in 20 churches. (Total Protestants in Bulgaria were estimated in 1965 to have been between 10,000 and 20,000.)[16] More recent estimates indicate enrollment in Protestant (“Evangelical” or “Gospel”) churches of between 100,000 and 200,000,[17] presumably reflecting the success of more recent missionary efforts of evangelical groups. The United Church of Christ has been described as “the historic continuation of the Congregational churches”.[18]

Leaders who can’t see it

February 5, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, News

Leaders who can’t see it, probably won’t find it: Leaders without vision will fail. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams, motivate performance, or create sustainable value. Poor vision, tunnel vision, vision that is fickle, or a non-existent vision will cause leaders to fail. A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind.

Cup & Cross Ministries Offers Ministry Leadership Table

Empowered by the vision for a continuous revival within the church of the 21st century, we have chosen to make the mission of our work this one statement: We help churches grow.

One of the approaches we have taken to accomplish this ministry goal is Consulting and Coaching:

  • We have successfully worked with over 50 churches toward their effective missions programs and growth through (1) leadership training and team building seminars, (2) in-depth case study of church and ministry evaluations and (3) implementing individually designed strategies for ministry development
  • Currently, our team provides continuous education to over 200 church leaders and ministry teams around the world through teaching and lecturing on a weekly basis along with daily prayer support
  • We extend our efforts toward church growth by helping build strong family connections through relations counseling and parenting classes implementing play therapy as Board Certified LPC

Beside personal presence and team building strategies, we implement the media in virtually every approach of ministry. We have published several research monographs as well as film series about our ministry work. Our team holds a weekly TV program called the Bible Hour. (Learn how we help churches build their own and unique web presence)

Areas of Ministry:

  • Evangelism & Missions
  • Leadership Training
  • Digital Discipleship
  • Mobile Bible School
  • Church Growth
  • Chaplaincy
  • Christian Counseling
Daily Ministry Reach:

  • Services 1-3
  •  Continents 3
  • Churches 144-179
  • Bible verse via text 3,416
  • LIVE Church Platform 1,600

Read also: Church of God Eastern Europe Missions: Leadership, Economics and Culture

The Road Ahead

February 1, 2022 by  
Filed under Events, Featured, Missions, News

Rewind 30 Years of Missions

January 30, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, Missions, News

Mission Bulgaria Week 20

Mission Bulgaria Week 21

Mission Bulgaria Week 22

Mission Bulgaria Week 23

Exclusive Report: Pentecostal Primitivism Preserved

Mission Bulgaria Week 24

Mission Bulgaria Week 25

MISSION 2002 in Bulgaria

Mission Bulgaria Week 27

Mission Bulgaria Week 28

Mission Bulgaria Week 29

Mission Bulgaria Week 30

Mission Bulgaria Week 31

 

Bulgaria in the Tension between NATO, Ukraine and Russia

January 25, 2022 by  
Filed under Events, Featured, Media, News, Publication

Bulgaria‘s strategy in the crisis over Ukraine, adopted at today’s cabinet meeting, will be aimed entirely at the Bulgarian army, and our country will make every effort to resolve the conflict peacefully. This was announced by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov after the government session.

Some of the information during today’s sitting is secret and will not be announced, including to the deputies in the parliament, Kiril Petkov told the ministers. Later, it became clear from his words to the media that Bulgaria will focus all its efforts on resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels. And our defense system will be aimed at developing the potential of the Bulgarian army.

Less than a day was the deadline given by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to the Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev to prepare a draft of the national position of our country and measures to strengthen the security system in Bulgaria. The project was submitted and approved at today’s meeting.

The Council of Ministers decided to prioritize Bulgaria‘s strategy towards fully de-escalating tensions between NATO and the Russian Federation, as well as to use absolutely all opportunities through diplomatic channels to resolve this conflict. Our defense strategy will be based on the Bulgarian army. That means Bulgarian troops, Bulgarian command and Bulgarian military leadership, said Kiril Petkov, prime minister.

The Prime Minister expressed regret that over the years our army has been underfunded and stressed that we will work actively to cover precisely these deficits by avoiding the purchase of equipment that is not systematically selected. From now on, Bulgaria should not be just a consumer of security. It should be a constructive partner of NATO, said Kiril Petkov.

The Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev announced that together with the diplomatic efforts Bulgaria must develop its defense potential in the direction of preparing a battalion battle group with Bulgarian troops and Bulgarian command”. On BNT he explained the details:

This will happen with a limited contingent, if we talk about what size – the order is not more than one battalion, not more than 1,000 people. A joint exercise is not a task, but a means, a joint exercise is a means to increase training and capacity. The battalion will take part in joint NATO exercises, which have been planned since last year, Yanev said. According to him, the decisions made today will be the Bulgarian position in the framework of the discussed measures in NATO.

Neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister of Defense commented today on the information from the last days about the possible deployment of NATO ground troops and fighters in our country.

Source from Brussels: Bulgaria is Ready to Accept French Soldiers

And the Foreign Minister reminded that since December at all diplomatic forums our country has consistently insisted on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. These efforts will continue in the future. We hope that the conflict will be resolved diplomatically. However, diplomatic speech must be supported by the necessary evidence that we have the necessary defense capabilities, said Teodora Genchovska – Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

The National Assembly heard out Kiril Petkov and ministers on Russia-NATO tensions at an extraordinary meeting today

The Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the heads of the services in connection with the Russia-NATO tension and the Bulgarian position were heard in the parliament.

Bulgaria is not a consumer of security – this was stated by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov before the National Assembly. He added that in the current situation the Bulgarian army will be prioritized with a battalion, which will probably be formed in April-May. There is also a readiness to withdraw Bulgarian diplomats from Ukraine, but there is no such need at the moment.

The Minister of Defense highlighted the deficits in the Bulgarian army. The Foreign Minister pointed out that our country gives precedence to diplomacy.

MPs outlined dialogue as the best mechanism for resolving the crisis. They expressed concern about the state of the Bulgarian army and the possible economic consequences of escalating tensions.

The de-escalation of tensions is a top priority for Bulgaria, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov reaffirmed before parliament.

Bulgarian PM: Bulgaria is a Sovereign State. Russia should De-Escalate

“The escalation is real. We monitor all developments in this conflict on a daily basis. Our strategy for the first time has the idea of ​​not being security consumers, but partners. Over the years, there are clear deficits in equipment in the Bulgarian army. We have different options – to prioritize the Bulgarian army, with Bulgarian troops, with Bulgarian command,” said Kiril Petkov.

The Minister of Defense further developed the idea of ​​prioritizing the Bulgarian army.

“A Bulgarian battalion will be made and everything will be done through national communication channels. This means that this battalion will increase the pace of preparation. We do not envisage escalation. We do not envisage plans to defend national territory. Nor do we envisage plans for another team to go elsewhere, to a different place”, said Stefan Yanev – Minister of Defense.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that our country gives precedence to diplomacy.

“Obviously, Russia is trying to divide allies by dividing them into categories,” said Teodora Genchovska, the foreign minister.

Opposition party GERB expressed concern that our country may behave as a security consumer.

“We will support you if you stop raising dust with phrases such as ‘national interest’. For us, the national interest is to be a strong member of NATO. GERB governments have done a lot for our defense capabilities – we paid for ‘Cougars’ and ‘Spartans’, you will order and pay the next F-16s. If you offer us a meaningful position – we are ready to support you,” said Daniel Mitov of GERB-SDS.

“The only thing to say whether we are a consumer is how we set our priorities. Our priority is the Bulgarian army with Bulgarian troops,” said Kiril Petkov.

The political party Democratic Bulgaria expressed concern over the state of the Bulgarian army.

“The mission of the Bulgarian army is constitutionally set, but we are all aware of the degree of readiness of obsolete equipment and delayed modernization,” said Hristo Ivanov.

The opposition party Movement for Rights and Freedoms outlined the best solution to the problems in this crisis.

“Through discussion, transparency, and everything that leads to military action. What would be the economic consequences?” Mustafa Karadayi said.

“The main risks are in the energy sector,” Kiril Petkov replied.

And the coalition party “There Is Such a People” focused on the possible economic consequences of escalating tensions.

“Is there a scenario for the energy sector?” Victoria Vasileva of TISP asked.

“We have a clear plan and we are in communication with the EU on how this can happen. Bulgarian households and businesses will be able to count on it,” said Kiril Petkov.

The Bulgarian left welcomed the ruling party’s decision to de-escalate tensions.

“The key for Bulgaria is to maintain its position in this hysterical situation. Bulgaria will not engage in hostile and military action,” Christian Vigenin from the Bulgarian Socialist Party said.

The nationalist Vazrazhdane (Revival) party asked the prime minister if he thought Russia posed a threat to Bulgaria‘s national security.

“There is an escalation of hysteria in Bulgaria. Russian troops are just doing standard exercises. This is being used in the domestic political debate. We are not just a consumer of security, we are using security as a maneuvering ground,” party leader Kostadin Kostadinov said.

Russia has launched Military Maneuvers near Ukraine and in Annexed Crimea

Bulgarian PM: Bulgaria’s Sovereignty is Above Everything

“We have no master. No one can say otherwise,” said Kiril Petkov.

20 Year Challenge

January 20, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, Missions, News, Publication

East Coast Bible College and Byrd Dorm

January 15, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, Missions, News

Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in Germany (2022 Report)

January 10, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, Missions, News

Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in Germany (2022 Report)

Koloniestraße 23, 13359 Berlin

P-r Trajan

Rathausstr. 13, 21502 Geesthacht

P-r Nasko

Zollhofstrasse 4, 67061 Ludwigshafen

P-r Asen

Ruhrort Apostelestr. 58, Duisburg 47053

P-r Dari

Kaiser Wilhelm Str. 255, 47169 Duisburg

Bremen Walle Heerstr 197

P-r Dimitar

Hofäckerstrasse 3 71732 Tamm

P-r Emil

Höfflerstr. 14 – Kaiserslautern 67659

P-r Todor

Franz Georg str 36, Trier 54290

P-r Krasimir i Bena

Kirschstr 45a, Montabaur 56410
P-r Ličo i Lejsti

Donauwörther str. 85, Neuburg an der Donau 86633
P-r Ličo i Cecka

Thiewall 9, Hameln 31785
P-r Vasko i Irena

Berliner Str. 77, 51064
P-r Mančo i Dari

Bahnhofstr. 4, Hagen 58095

P-r Miroslav

Oranien Str. 15, Wiesbaden 65185

P-r Sašo, „Šalom Visbaden“

Hinterbärenbadstr. 4, München 81373

Hafenweg 31, 48155 Münster

P-r Simeon i Pepi Vlačkovi
Sundays 7 PM

Goethering 9-11, Osnabrück 49074

P-r Gosho

Lange Str. 226, D-59067 Hamm
P-r Ivo

Zwickau (Sachsen)
Domashna grupa
Rosen

Bremen – Evangel. Gemeinschaftszentrum, Waller Heerstraße 197, 28219 Bremen

Seitenweg 13, 28309 Bremen
Jašar Atanasov

Duisburg

Die Brücke, Johannismarkt 7, 47169 Duisburg
Jašar Mihajlov

http://duisburg.incilbg.com/

Hannover

Lankwitzweg 56, D-30179 Hannover
Aldeniz

Frankfurt a.M.
Lotzstr. 54, 65934 Frankfurt-Nied
Asen Stefanov
Sundays 1:30 PM
http://www.iyihaber-frankfurt.de

Hamburg

Lichtinsel Veringstrasse 47: D-21107 Hamburg – Wilhelmsburg
P-r Ilhan
Sundays 2PM

Domašna grupa
Billstedter Hauptst. 43, 22111 Hamburg
Okšan

Kiel

Domašna grupa
Bilhan

Limburg

Offheimer Weg 50, 65549 Limburg
Ferdi Filipov

Offenbach a.M.

Waldstr. 36, 63065 Offenbach
Sali Ahmed 01771470903
Nedelja ot 17:30 http://www.iyihaber-offenbach.de/

Osnabrück

Goethering 9-11, 49074 Osnabrück
P-r Nazmi

Limburg

Offheimer Weg 50, D-65549 Limburg
Filip Filipov
Nedelja 18:00 č.

Mönchengladbach

Domašno sabirane
Jakub Jakubov

Saarland / Ramiz Ognjanov

New Bulgarian PM pledges U-turn on North Macedonia’s EU ambitions

January 5, 2022 by  
Filed under Featured, News

Bulgaria’s new prime minister has signalled that Sofia will finish its obstruction of North Macedonia’s bid to affix the EU as soon as his new authorities takes workplace within the coming weeks.

Kiril Petkov, who was confirmed as premier by the nation’s parliament on Monday after his social gathering took the most important share of the vote in November’s elections, made the pledge as he reaffirmed Bulgaria’s dedication to Nato and the west. “We’re on the best facet of Nato and EU insurance policies, 100 per cent,” he instructed the Monetary Occasions in an interview earlier than he was confirmed as prime minister.

“We are going to suggest a brand new course of [on North Macedonia], very quick, with a restricted timeframe, simply six months lengthy,” he mentioned.

Sofia wished sure points to stay on the desk, he famous, together with either side pledging to combat hate crime towards the opposite and North Macedonia referring to its historic connection to Bulgaria in its structure. However he indicated compromise was doable. “Let the 2 populations begin speaking about the advantages of working collectively.,” he mentioned. “As soon as we put the upsides on the desk . . . discussions about compromises are a lot simpler to have.”

The prime minister added: “As soon as that is all achieved . . . I consider we will fortunately signal Macedonia into the EU.”

The U-turn comes after Bulgaria final yr vetoed its neighbour’s EU accession talks amid disputes over historical past and identification. Critics on the time accused Bulgaria’s former centre-right chief Boyko Borisov of resorting to nationalism to distract consideration from months of protests towards organised crime and corruption on his watch.

Borisov was ousted in April elections, however failure to agree a coalition led to recent polls in July and once more in November, when Petkov’s centrist We Proceed the Change (PP) social gathering received a few quarter of the vote.

We search an lively and dedicated function for Bulgaria each within the EU and in Nato. We not need to be the dangerous child behind the classroom

Petkov and his coalition companions — the Socialist social gathering, “turbo-folk” pop star Slavi Trifonov’s anti-establishment ITN, and the liberal Democratic Bulgaria — accomplished the primary draft of a coalition settlement final Monday.

Also Read Greenwich-based GXO Logistics to hire 9,000 workers for the holiday season across North America

The brand new authorities’s rapid problem can be tackling the nation’s coronavirus disaster. Bulgaria has among the many world’s highest demise charges and lowest vaccination charges.

“We now have to extend vaccinations for certain,” mentioned Petkov, whose social gathering campaigned on a pledge to eradicate corruption and streamline the state. “We are going to put up a ample finances for promotion . . . I’ll invite consultants, go to hospitals and present the scenario. It’s as a lot a well being program as an financial program. We can’t shut Bulgaria once more.”

The incoming prime minister may also face a fancy overseas coverage balancing act at a time when Russia is taking part in an more and more assertive function within the area.

Petkov instructed the FT the brand new authorities would put discussions with North Macedonia on a recent footing. “We are going to use working teams . . . to hash out options on points like joint financial exercise, infrastructure, tradition and historical past,” he mentioned.

North Macedonia, which first known as itself the Republic of Macedonia, emerged out of the previous Yugoslavia and was granted EU candidate standing in 2005. Its software was held up for years by Greek opposition to its unique identify, which Athens complained implied a territorial declare on the Greek area of the identical identify. The difficulty was resolved in 2019 when the qualifier “North” was added.

In the meantime relations between Sofia and Skopje deteriorated, with many Bulgarians rejecting the idea of a separate Macedonian identification and language, and disputes over occasions relationship again to the second world battle.

North Macedonian particular forces participate within the 2021 parade celebrating the nation’s independence. Many Bulgarians reject the idea of a separate Macedonian identification © Robert Atanasovski/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Nonetheless, Petkov faces a problem in framing his authorities’s North Macedonia coverage. The enigmatic ITN chief Trifonov has cultivated a picture rooted in romantic nationalism — which in Bulgaria encompasses the declare that North Macedonia is ethnically and culturally Bulgarian. His social gathering has nominated the coalition’s overseas minister and power minister.

Also Read Glover given early shower as Kings lose spite night
A latest Gallup Worldwide ballot discovered fewer than 10 per cent of Bulgarians help North Macedonia’s EU aspirations outright, and greater than 70 per cent again upholding Bulgaria’s veto on Skopje’s accession talks till the bilateral disagreements are settled.

Petkov mentioned ITN was a constructive companion in coalition talks and that areas of concern mentioned in latest months would stay on the desk. “For instance, within the Macedonian textbooks Bulgaria shouldn’t be known as fascist,” he mentioned, alluding to Macedonian descriptions of Bulgarian troops occupying — or in Bulgaria’s view, liberating and managing — what’s as we speak North Macedonia throughout the Forties.

The prime minister aimed to win either side spherical with sweeteners, together with monetary funding, infrastructure and cultural tasks and a publicity push. “We’re prepared not simply to speak the discuss but in addition put some cash on the desk,” he mentioned.

Sofia may also must tread rigorously at a time of intensifying tensions within the Black Sea area, the place Russia is more and more flexing its muscle tissue following its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Bulgaria wished to finish its dependence on Russian power, Petkov mentioned. The nation obtains practically all its pure fuel from Russia. A pipeline operating by way of Greece to Bulgaria that would carry different provides has been beneath building for over a decade.

Petkov famous Sofia had already signed contracts for provides of Azeri fuel by way of the Greek route and pledged to finish the Bulgarian a part of the work as quickly as doable.

Also Read North Halsted Street Mainstay Yoshi’s Café Set To Close This Month After Nearly 40 Years In Business – CBS Chicago
Petkov mentioned his overseas coverage would deal with averting armed battle “anyplace within the neighbourhood” however that the nation remained anchored within the west.

A remark by his political mentor, President Rumen Radev, throughout an election debate in November — when Radev sparked concern amongst worldwide allies by saying “Crimea is . . . at the moment Russian” — had not signalled a change in Bulgaria’s stance, Petkov argued. The president merely meant to name consideration to the truth on the bottom, he mentioned.

“We’re treating Crimea as a part of Ukraine, there isn’t any doubt about that,” Petkov insisted. “However we need to be sure to make use of all diplomatic means to keep away from army battle.

“We search an lively and dedicated function for Bulgaria each within the EU and in Nato,” he added. “We not need to be the dangerous child behind the classroom.”

« Previous PageNext Page »