Reform of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), which was to follow an international report on the functioning of its institutions, has slowly begun, Bulgarian daily Dnevnik said on December 15.

According to Dnevnik, all scientists past the pensionable age, except those who were part of the institution's central management, have received one month's notice informing them that they are to be released from their duties.

A day earlier, after a meeting with the head of BAS, Nikola Subotinov, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov had said that institutions that had received a good evaluation would receive financial support. Which institutions would receive extra funding was not announced, Dnevnik said.

A report by the European Science Foundation (ESF), released on November 30, said that most of the institutions and departments of BAS conducted essential, vital and valuable work that abides by international standards. One, unnamed, institution was said to be listed as having to close down. The ESF report stressed that BAS operated on the "border of survival" due to severe lack of funding.

Subotinov and Borissov met after BAS had sent a letter to Borissov on December 11, demanding changes in Government policy on science and increased state funding.

According to BAS, the budget cuts of 10 million leva for 2010 would mean that the academy would be without electricity or heating and several of its laboratories would have to close.

Borissov promised support but only when set against "real results".