These are some of the top stories in Bulgarian newspapers on January 9 2009. The Sofia Echo has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Politics

Standart daily reports that the entire European Union is firmly behind Bulgaria regarding its critical situation caused by the suspension of natural gas supplies. In a declaration adopted at an informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers, attended by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin, it was emphasised that the issue concerns all EU member states and that the EU would not ignore the problems of any of its citizens.

Participants were unanimous that Bulgaria was the country most severely hit by the crisis. Hence Kalfin was the first to take the floor at the meeting. Signatories to a declaration appealed to Russia and Ukraine to resume supplies without further delay. The EU is prepared to send independent observers to Ukraine. Five billion euro has been allocated to establishing connections between gas consumers, suppliers and transit countries. The newspaper also reports that Bulgaria has two projects aimed at connecting its national energy systems with Greece and Romania. However, the EU may provide financing only under one condition - Bulgaria should be prepared to table them within a month.

Dnevnik reports that tensions between Moscow and Kiev eased after both countries agreed to accept international monitors to supervise the gas being pumped to Europe. Negotiations between the two countries will continue.

As an extra precaution against future gas supply disruptions, an international committee composed of independent EU experts as well as representatives from Brussels, Moscow and Kiev will be set up to monitor the transfer of Russian gas via Ukraine to Europe.

Meanwhile, the situation in Bulgaria deteriorated. Industrial consumers saw their gas supply reduced by 75 per cent. Bulgartransgaz cut off 72 businesses and reduced supplies to 153 other industrial customers, said Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, adding that firms' cumulative losses now total 8.3 million leva.

However, experts said companies harmed by the gas crisis have hardly any legal entitlement to demand compensation from state-run gas company Bulgargaz.

On the other hand, Evgenii Ivanov, executive director of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria, pointed out that large industrial gas users can seek damages if supplies are cut even for half a day.


Economy
Dnevnik reports that listed firms' 2008 reports raise many eyebrows. Companies' performances on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange deteriorated in 2008 compared to last year, according to reports out in January and February. Performance varies across companies but the general picture will display smaller sales and profits, said Tihomir Kaundjiev of Beta Corp. The worst performers are road builders, machine builders and chemical and mining companies. Healthcare, services, consumer products and agricultural firms will hold up relatively better. Although the consensus among analysts is that first-quarter earnings will be no better, Vladislav Penev said wisely managed companies will emerge from the crisis with greater market shares.

Only a year ago analysts expected a 20 to 40 per cent jump in sales on 2007 values but outlooks darkened after the financial crisis snowballed into an economic one.

National Heritage:

Standart reports that two Bulgarian sites have been nominated for the Seven World Wonders: The Belogradchik Rocks. These rocks are as if "touched by God" according to Georgi Ushakov, a Bulgarian living in Canada who advertises the Belogradchik Rocks in the competition for the most phenomenal nature wonders. The group of bizarre sandstone and limestone rock formations near the town of Vidin (northwestern Bulgaria) is among the first seven nominated wonders; 261 beautiful sites on six continents will compete until July 7, 2009.