Administrative Circular

 

“Water Nexus Agenda for the Thir​d ASEM Decade”​

1-3 December 2016, Ruse, Bulgaria​

Within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Dialogue on Sustainable Development, the Republic of Bulgaria has the honour to host the 5th ASEM Sustainable Development Seminar "Water Nexus Agenda for the Third ASEM Decade", which will take place on 1-3 December 2016 in Ruse, Bulgaria's largest city on the Danube River. 
 
This event is expected to be attended by 150 participants – delegations from 10 ASEM member states (Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Hungary, Laos, Myanmar, Romania, Slovakia, Thailand and Vietnam), European Commission and ASEAN Secretariat, as well as representatives from international organizations.
                                                                                                                 
We welcome you to Bulgaria, on the Danube, in Ruse, at the University of Ruse and hope you enjoy our hospitality. We believe this Administrative circular will facilitate your stay.

​

2. REGISTRATION

Online accreditation will be open via https://asem-ruse.eventbrite.com until 24 November 2016.
 
Participants who have registered online will receive an e-mail with a registration form, which should be filled in and sent back to the e-mail address, specified at the bottom of the registration form. Identification badges will be distributed at the reception desk of the Seminar. Delegates are requested to wear their identification badges at all times to gain admittance to the meeting venues, meals and other functions and might be requested to pass through a security gate.

Participants requiring a visa are kindly requested to complete their registration forms by 10 November 2016 at the latest, which would enable the Bulgarian side to ensure timely preparation of individual invitations and their submission to the Bulgarian Embassies in the respective countries. Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to make sure there is enough time for all necessary visa and travel arrangements.

Participants are recommended to stay at one of the following hotels, due to their proximity to the Seminar venue, and the services offered:​​

During their stay delegates are responsible for all costs incurred. ​

For delegates arriving to Sofia International Airport:
The distance between Sofia and Ruse is 320 km. In case delegates are not provided transfer by their embassies in Sofia, the host will arrange the transfer from Sofia to Ruse and from Ruse to Sofia by bus according to the following schedule:

Pick-up service on 1 December 2016 at 7.30 from  Sofia airport to Ruse.
Pick-up service on 3 December 2016 at 13.30 from Kaneff Center to Sofia airport. The service is convenient for flights scheduled after 19.30. 

For delegates arriving to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (former Otopeni International Airport):
The distance between Bucharest and Ruse is 70 km. In case delegates are not provided transfer by their embassies in Bucharest, the host will arrange the transfer from Bucharest to Ruse and from Ruse to Bucharest by bus according to the following schedule:

Pick-up service on 1 December 2016 at 10.00 from  Bucharest airport to Ruse
Pick-up service on 3 December 2016 at 13.30 from Kaneff Center to Bucharest airport. The service is convenient for flights scheduled after 17.30.

The hosts will provide the venue for the Seminar, coffee breaks, lunch and dinner on  1st , 2nd and 3rd December 2016.
 
The hosts will provide a field trip on 3^rd December 2016. Please confirm your participation in the field trip in the Registration form.
 
Travel, accommodation and possible visa expenses will be covered by the participants. The hosts will cover the accommodation costs of the heads of national delegations.

Delegates are required to ensure their passports have at least 6 months’ validity on the day they are departing for Bulgaria and, if applicable, need to apply for the visa from the nearest Bulgarian Diplomatic Mission before departure to Sofia.
 
Information on how to obtain a visa for Bulgaria can be found on the following website: http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/109/index.html.
 
In case you need to consult the Consular Authorities please contact the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria: Consular@mfa.bg​.
 
The holders of valid Romanian, Croatian and Cypriot visas may visit Bulgaria within the period of their validity.

The working language of the Seminar is English.

A Liaison Officer will be assigned to assist each delegation for the duration of their stay in Ruse.
 
The Liaison Officer will be available to answer questions regarding the programme and address any logistical challenges that may arise.​

The organizers and hosts of the Seminar shall not be liable for personal accidents and losses, or damage to personal property of the registered delegates in the meeting. Delegates should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.

All necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of delegates. Delegates are requested to wear their identification badges at all times to gain admittance to the meeting venues, meals and other functions and might be requested to pass through a security gate. ​
 
Media access is limited to the Opening Ceremony and Closing Session.

1. Information about Ruse can be found on the Official website of the Ruse Municipality (www.ruse-bg.eu) or the Official Tourism Portal of Bulgaria (http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/88/Ruse)
   
2. Useful information

Language: Bulgarian is the official language, but it should not be very difficult to seek information in English.
 
Time zone: Bulgaria is located in the Eastern European Time Zone, which is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) +2 hours.
 
Climate: The climate in the country is temperate continental, with Mediterranean influence in the southern parts. The Black Sea influences the climate in the eastern part of the country. There are about 2,000 sunny hours from May to October. During the winter, the mountains are particularly suitable for winter sports. The average temperature in December is around 5°C.
 
Electric voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz.
 
Emergency number: 112
 
International dial code for Bulgaria: + 359
 
International dial code for Ruse: + 359-82
 
Currency: The monetary unit in the Republic of Bulgaria is the lev (BGN), which is equal to 100 stotinki (st.). The value of the lev has been pegged to the Euro, at a fixed rate of 1 EUR – 1.95583 BGN.
You can find current currency information on the site of the Bulgarian National Bank: http://www.bnb.bg/?toLang=_EN/.
Currency can be exchanged in banks or in any of the country’s many currency exchange offices. Some of these exchange offices also work on holidays. Euro-cheques can be exchanged in banks.
 
Credit cards: Most Bulgarian hotels and big stores accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club credit cards.
 
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places. The law makes smoke free all workplaces, restaurants, bars, public transportation, cinemas, movie theatres, all hotels, near administrative buildings, in the yards or nearby day care centres and schools, on playgrounds, at outdoors children events, open air performance venues, and sports facilities.
 
Shop opening hours: Most shops in Bulgaria close at 19.00 h.
 
Communications: Three mobile service operators provide Bulgaria with almost 100% 2G and 3G network coverage both on its territory and territorial waters.
There is also internet coverage almost everywhere in the country. In the larger towns and cities, there are Wi-Fi spots with free Internet access. These are located mainly in the trade centres, railway stations and bus stations.
Communication operators in Bulgaria are the following:

• Vivacom – stationary and mobile telephone services (www.vivacom.bg/en/)
  
• Mtel – stationary and mobile telephone services (www.mtel.bg/en)
  
• Telenor – stationary and mobile telephone services (www.telenor.bg/en)
  

National and international calls can also be placed at many Bulgarian post offices (http://old.bgpost.bg/?cid=3​).

1. Substantive and organisational matters:
 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
2, “Alexander Zhendov” Str., Sofia 1040
“Asia, Australia and Oceania” Directorate
Tel.: (+3592) 948 2619; Fax: (+3592) 971 2882
E-mail: aao@mfa.bg
 
Ministry of Environment and Water
22, ”Knyaginya Maria Luiza” Bldv., Sofia 1000
International Cooperation Department
Tel: (+3592) 940 6280; (+3592) 940 6132
E-mail: dbakalova@moew.government.bg
 
Bulgarian-Romanian Interuniversity Europe Center
University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”
8, “Studentska” Str., Ruse 7017
Assoc. prof. Mimi Kornazheva, PhD
Tel: (+35982) 825 667; Fax: (+35982) 825 667
E-mail: mkornazheva@uni-ruse.bg​
​