January 14, 2010



The National Assembly passed at the sitting on January 14, 2010 the amendments to the Defense and Armed Forces Act. They provide for the Parliament to approve programs and projects for investments in the purchase and modernization of armament, equipment and technology needed by the armed forces, where the value exceeds BGN 100 million. The Council of Ministers is to authorize programs and projects which cost between BGN 50 and 100 million.

Parliament adopted at first reading amendments to the Law on the Protection and Development of Culture. They require the Minister of Culture to run competitions for all directors’ positions of state cultural institutions. The change is deemed necessary in order to change the existing now appointments on a permanent contract. In two months after the law enters into force, the culture minister will have to open the competitions.

In addition to the above, the changes stipulate that the Minister of Culture will appoint the personnel at the Bulgarian cultural institutions abroad on a three year employment contracts, changing the current permanent ones.