🇧🇬🇬🇷🇷🇴🇲🇩🇭🇺🇸🇰 Bulgaria will begin constructing a new pipeline across its territory linking Greek LNG terminals to customers in Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia!

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov told reporters the Vertical Gas Corridor is a crucial project not just for Bulgaria but for Central and Southeastern Europe. Bulgaria aims to be the first country to initiate the actual expansion of its gas transmission system. The first step is the delivery of pipes for the project, he said. The pipes were delivered at BMF Port Burgas a few days ago.

The Vertical Gas Corridor is a joint initiative involving Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova and Slovakia. Its goal is to enhance energy security and diversify gas supply sources and transmission routes.

"A total of 4,000 pipes were transported from India through the Red Sea," Stankov said. The transportation of the pipes to the country's interior is underway. All the necessary pipes for the first new gas pipeline are expected to be delivered by April 20.

"We have arranged to secure construction permits in April, and we are planning to hold the groundbreaking ceremony in May. Construction will start with the looping from Kulata on the border with Greece to the connection point with the existing Kresna gas pipeline, which will allow for a 50% increase in gas transfer capacity, from 2.3 billion cubic metres to 3.6 billion cu m per year. This is just the first phase. Once we complete the second looping, Rupcha-Vetrino in Northeastern Blgaria, we will be able to increase gas transfer capacity to Romania from the current 5 billion cu m to 10 billion cu m," Stankov said.

🔗 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/861691-energy-minister-construction-of-first-looping-of-vertical-gas-corridor-to-begin

—🇺🇸/🇷🇸 BREAKING: Donald Trump to host Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at Mar-a-Lago.

The upcoming meeting is scheduled to take place at Trump’s private residence in Florida, signaling renewed US-Serbia diplomatic engagement.

📰 Source: The National Independent.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🗳🇷🇴 ELECTION DAY - Georgescu on its way to the polling station.

📰 Source: Daily Romania.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

🇷🇴🗳⚡️ #BREAKING | Nicușor Dan surpassed Crin Antonescu and enters the 2nd round facing off with the sovereignist George Simion!

@Wallachian_Gazette

—🗳🇷🇴 BREAKING: Georgescu-backed candidate George Simion sweeps first round of Romanian presidential elections with +40% of votes.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🗳🇷🇴 UPDATE: George Simion and Nicușor Dan: profiles of the two candidates advancing to the second round of Romania’s presidential election.

George Simion, leader of the nationalist, eurosceptic, and ultraconservative AUR party, leads the race; followed by Nicușor Dan, a mathematician, current mayor of Bucharest, liberal and politically independent. Both stand firmly against Romania’s traditional political elite.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

🇷🇴🗳⚡️ Crin Antonescu refuses to endorse either George Simion or Nicușor Dan, says he leaves his voters to decide for themselves!

@Wallachian_Gazette

🇷🇴🗳⚡️ Broken down by map at 98.6% counted.

Crin Antonescu managed to flip Bihor (BH) from George Simion largely thanks to the Hungarian minority and Nicușor Dan flipped Cluj (CJ) thanks to the city of Cluj-Napoca who has a reputation for being the most liberal-progressive urban area in Romania.

Nicușor Dan also won Bucharest.

@Wallachian_Gazette

—❗️ URGENT: Romanian Prime Minister Ciolacu resigns as AUR leader Simion signals presidential bid.

Romania’s governing coalition collapses after far-right AUR’s George Simion wins presidential first round; PM Marcel Ciolacu (PSD) resigns and social democrats withdraw, citing loss of legitimacy. Liberal PNL blames PSD for not backing their candidate Antonescu, who finished third.

📰 Source: DW.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇬🇷/🇺🇦 NEW: Greece will not provide additional Patriot systems to Ukraine.

Despite prior Bloomberg reports suggesting Western allies considered transferring more Patriots from Greek and US arsenals, Athens has declined participation.

📰 Source: Reuters.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇷🇴 UPDATE: Presidential candidate George Simion outlines multiple pathways to bring Georgescu into leadership.

Simion stated options include forming a parliamentary majority to appoint Georgescu as Prime Minister, triggering snap elections, or initiating a national referendum.

📰 Source: Daily Romania.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇭🇷 NEW: Polls show Croats strongly oppose integration of Indian and Filipino workers.

Only 2% of Croatian respondents would accept Indians or Filipinos as family members, while over 90% reject them as neighbors—youth and students lead opposition to foreign workers. Meanwhile, just 5% support Russia’s war on Ukraine; majority back Palestine over Israel.

📰 Source: Tomas Sablić.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇷🇸/🇷🇺 NEW: Serbian President Vučić lands in Moscow on the eve of Victory Day.

A bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Friday, according to the Kremlin.

📰 Source: Based Serbia and The National Independent.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇷🇸/🇬🇷 NEW: Serbian Chief of General Staff visits Athens for DEFEA 2025 and bilateral military talks.

General Milan Mojsilović leads high-level Serbian delegation to Greece at the invitation of General Dimitris Houpis, with discussions focused on expanding defense cooperation amid rising regional tensions with Turkey, including its support for Greater Albania, military ties with Sarajevo, and threats toward Cyprus.

📰 Source: Social Impact channel.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—🇬🇷/🇪🇬 NEW: Greece and Egypt sign strategic partnership declaration during Al Sisi's 5th official visit to Athens.

Greek PM Mitsotakis and President Tasoulas met with Egypt's Abdel Fatah Al Sisi to deepen cooperation in security, energy, education, and culture; both sides stressed regional stability, especially regarding Gaza and migration, and agreed to expand bilateral ties through regular consultations and new agreements.

📰 Source: PoliticsGR channel.

Follow us on @balkanspectator

—❗️🇻🇦 UPDATE: Sistine Chapel door sealed as Cardinals begin Conclave in Vatican.

Traditional closure signals the start of the papal election; the door will reopen only once a new Pope has been chosen.