Bulgarians go to the polls today to decide between a member of the ruling centre-right party and a left-wing ex-foreign minister in an election run-off for the presidency of the impoverished, corruption-plagued country.

Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov today criticised EU nations for imposing job restrictions on Bulgarians, arguing that a free flow of labour between the Balkan country and other EU members would benefit the bloc.

The first official visit of a Bulgarian head of state to Ireland is to take place next week.

Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos is scheduled to arrive Sofia today on a three-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations and economic co-operation.