Strasbourg, April 24 - "At the moment Europe is at a crossroads which is similar to that after the end of World War II, the 50th anniversary of which we will celebrate soon. The continent was then divided by an ideological and political barrier which instilled fear in the European nations for over four decades. Five years ago it was believed that once the Wall tumbled down, the problems would be solved. It was believed that it would not take much time. That was a period of romantic illusions," Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov said today, delivering a speech at the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. He expressed his opinion that peace in Europe and the progress of the continent could be guaranteed solely on the basis of making it "a cohesive political, economic, military and social area," therefore the Bulgarian Government regards Bulgaria's integration into that area as its major task. "The new European architecture confronts the Council of Europe with new problems, responsibilities and tasks. We are convinced that the Council of Europe should evolve into a real pan-European institution. The process of its enlargement is far from being complete. This question is cardinal not just for the Council of Europe, there is more to it than a geographic dimension," the Bulgarian Prime Minister said. "The admission of new member states sometimes leads to new problems or focuses attention on different aspects of problems that have been discussed for quite a long time. At present some Eastern Europeans feel insecure because of the conflicts raging around them, because of their lower living standards, because of the impossibility to travel freely in Europe and because of the losses they sustain as a result of the UN sanctions. This makes them feel inferior. They do not want to be treated as second-rate Europeans. Such lack of self- confidence hardly works for the future of the continent. No doubt, new concepts and new ideas should be developed jointly to overcome the feeling of discontent, skepticism and apathy. May be it is time that the Council of Europe addresses some key political aspects of the continent's economic development," Videnov stated. Then he stressed the fact that in addition to the high social price of transition, Bulgaria was burdened with huge direct losses resulting from the strict application of trade and economic sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro and against Libya and Iraq. Zhan Videnov said it was a characteristic feature of Bulgaria's transition to democracy that inter-ethnic problems and tensions had been successfully overcome. He described the guaranteeing of the country's national security, its economic growth and the strengthening of the democratic processes as the major objectives of the Government's foreign policy. "Bulgaria's integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic economic, political and security structures is a major priority for us," Videnov said adding that the Government's foreign political strategy was based on the principles of continuity and equality. "We will avail ourselves of the opportunities offered by NATO and the Western European Union, so that Bulgaria can join them if they are enlarged in future, having its interests fully respected. One of the principles of Bulgaria's foreign policy is that it cannot build its security at the expense of other states - near or distant," he added. He confirmed the Bulgarian Government's intention to "pursue a policy of stabilization in the Balkans based on the renunciation of any territorial designs, inviolability of existing borders, respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and the maintenance of relations with all neighboring countries on an equal footing. Videnov stressed that Bulgaria would by no means be involved in any form, direct or indirect, not even under the aegis of international organizations, in military operations in the Balkans. Videnov made a brief analysis of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and the application of international sanctions, expressing concern that the conflict could be further exacerbated.
Strasbourg, April 24 - Having completed his speech, Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov answered questions asked by representatives at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Commenting on the Convention on Minority Rights and the Additional Protocol to it, Videnov said the Bulgarian Government was discussing every detail, which is time-taking. He said that Bulgaria would present its position shortly, adding it would be based on the Bulgarian Constitution and the principles approved by the Council of Europe. A Romanian representative asked if the incumbent Bulgarian Cabinet had members who had been ministers under Todor Zhivkov, specifying he wanted to know if any of the incumbent deputy interior ministers had occupied responsible positions in the former political police. Videnov said it was true some of the people in the incumbent Government had occupied responsible positions in the 1980s, adding that some of them were respected specialists. Answering the question about the Ministry of the Interior, he said that its staff had been fully replaced. "Sometimes there are not enough competent people to man the police and the judiciary," he added. "The nuclear power plant at Kozlodoui is completely under international control," Zhan Videnov stated. He said that considerable investments should be made in conventional power stations to prevent environmental damages. There was keen interest in the Bulgarian Prime Minister's answers he was giving for nearly 45 minutes. Later on Prime Minister Videnov gave a news conference for Bulgarian and foreign journalists. Asked about the position of the Bulgarian Government and the Bulgarian representatives at the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly on the Turkish military operation in Northern Iraq, Videnov said that the MPs' position depend on the respective political forces and parliamentary groups they belong to. In the view of the Bulgarian Government, such ways of resolving internal problems, even if terrorist acts are involved, are not a step in the right direction, Videnov said. The Bulgarian Government follows the military operation in Northern Iraq with great concern. The best solution would be to end it the soonest possible, withdrawing the Turkish troops. Invited to comment on the memorandum of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces, circulated in three groups of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Videnov said he had seen it at the last minute and was not quite familiar with it. However, he does not think that the criticism of the way the national budget was approved is justified. All key issues are opened for public debate in Bulgaria.
Strasbourg, April 24 - Bulgarian prime Minister Zhan Videnov, the Bulgarian representatives at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the members of the Bulgarian mission to the Council of Europe gathered for a brief meeting in the presence of a large group of Bulgarian journalists before the opening of the PACE session in the afternoon today. Vassil Gotsev, MP of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF, the largest opposition force in Bulgaria) announced he had circulated a UDF memorandum about the political situation in Bulgaria in the PACE parliamentary groups: Christian democrats, Liberals and Democrats. The UDF expresses its "great concern about the activities of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) in the three months of its rule". The memorandum says it has taken "actions that hinder the reform and that a step back towards the times of the totalitarian regime": establishment of party structures, approval of the national budget by the BSP top leadership before it was introduced to Parliament, attacks against the judiciary and the Constitutional Court, amendments to some legal instruments. BSP MP Ivan Genov described the memorandum as "a continuation of the UDF representatives' bad practice to harp about their internal problems at international organizations" - a practice which is not eyed well by such organizations.
Most countries participating in the Central European Initiative look favorably on the idea of admitting new members, Bulgarian Foreign Minister George Pirinski told on returning from Krakow where he attended the conference of foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Central European initiative. According to Pirinski, Bulgaria stands a good chance of joining the Initiative but the question of its full membership will be resolved in October 1995. The participants' desire to conduct cooperation within the framework of the Initiative and their idea to implement joint infrastructural projects were described as encouraging by the Bulgarian Foreign Minister. Pirinski acquainted the conference with Bulgaria's proposal for settling the problems arising in connection with the application of sanctions against former Yugoslavia. The representatives of the Initiative member-countries admitted the necessity of interaction and expressed their readiness to assume firmer commitments. According to Minister Pirinski, the interaction will not consist in providing compensations, but in joint efforts to resolve the problems arising as a result of the Yugoembargo, which would be to the interest of whole Central Europe.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski and his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu discussed matters of mutual interest in the context of the Central European Initiative and Black Sea Cooperation. The two foreign ministers considered some draft agreements between Bulgaria and Romania in the legal sphere. The sides discussed some other agreements concerning health care, agriculture, trade regulations and economic relations. Mr. Pirinski and his Romanian counterpart discussed matters of mutual interest in the context of the Central European Initiative and Black Sea Cooperation. The sides considered some draft agreements between Bulgaria and Romania in the legal sphere. They also discussed some other agreements concerning health care, agriculture, trade regulations and economic relations.. "We agreed to hold meetings between the separate directorates of the foreign ministries at the level of experts, to arrange meetings between the ministries of transport and trade, to work for further contacts at a higher, governmental level and prepare for a multilateral meeting in Bucharest at the end of June, attended by presidents and prime ministers," Pirinski said in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, adding that this would be the meeting making the important decisions.
April 21 - Leaders of the extra-parliamentary Democratic Alternative for the Republic (DAR) and New Choice groups met here today with President Zhelev to discuss the amendments to the Agricultural Land Tenure Act, moved by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and passed by the National Assembly as well as Bulgaria's possible entry into NATO. The meetings are within the framework of the President's consultations with all political forces on the two hot issues. DAR leaders advised the President to hold talks with the parliamentary majority before he returns the amendments to the Land Act for further consideration by Parliament, DAR leader Vasil Velinov said. He stated that DAR leaders fully back the President's view on the amendments. The President was also supported by New Choice leaders Dimiter Loudzhev and Ivan Pushkarov. They called on to him to refer back the amended legislation and if the majority again votes to it, to refer the issue to the Constitutional Court. In an address broadcast on the national media yesterday President Zhelev said he would refer the amendments to the Land Act for reconsideration. He said that if the legislation is passed again in its present form, he will refer the issue to the Constitutional Court. According to President Zhelev the legislation contradicts the democratic changes and the reform in Bulgaria. Meeting with the President during the week, leaders of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), the Popular Union and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms demanded that the legislation be returned to Parliament for further debates. DAR stands up for Bulgaria's entry into NATO, however not at all costs, but given the guarantees that no foreign troops or nuclear weapons will be deployed on the territory of this country and that Russia and the Eastern European states will not be confronted, DAR leaders told President Zhelev today. The Government should clearly state its position on Bulgaria's entry into NATO, Dimiter Loudzhev told reporters after the meeting with the President. In his view NATO is a key factor for security in Europe and for the whole North Atlantic community and Zhan Videnov's view about the defensive character of the union is outdated. New Choice leaders told the President that it is high time that what they describe as aggressive policy of the Socialists, be counteracted by a new formation, made up of Christian Democratic, Conservative and Liberal organizations.
Following a 16 hour debate, Parliament voted the macroeconomic framework of the 1995 budget on second reading. At an unprecedented sitting, which started Thursday afternoon and ended at 06:00 a.m. on Friday, the MPs approved the basic parameters of the 1995 national budget. A revenue of 215,491,300,000 leva revenue, expenditure 264,242,000,000 leva and a deficit of 48,750,700,000 leva: these are the basic figures of the budget framework. The revenue amount exceeds the initial Government projections by 40 million leva. This is the only change in the revenue side of the Government-drafted budget made by the MPs. The additional amount is expected to be collected by renting state property. Taxes account for the largest share of the projected budget revenue: the Exchequer is expected to collect 170,698,700,000 leva. The projected amount of state- charged fees is 4,387,900,000 leva, the National Bank of Bulgaria's contribution will be 25,000,000,000 leva. The budget expenditure approved by the MPs totals 264,242,000,000 leva. million leva. The parliamentary majority voted for the budget deficit as proposed by the Cabinet 48,750,700,000 leva. The opposition voted against the projected figure because the motion for measures aimed to reduce the deficit by over 8,000 million leva, made by UDF leaders Ivan Kostov and Stefan Sofianski, was defeated. The budget deficit will be directly financed to the amount of 4,486,000,000 leva, 4,013,300,000 of which will be borrowed from BNB. According to the UDF MPs, the projected amount of revenue from taxes is smaller than it should be, which creates prerequisites for wasteful practices and breaches of financial discipline. "This leaves the Government with a huge reserve that can be used to rehabilitate some banks," Ivan Kostov, UDF leader and minister of finance in two cabinets, said. Ventseslav Dimitrov, an economist and MP of the Popular Union (a coalition of the Democratic Party and the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union) shares Kostov's opinion; he believes that the actual budget revenue from taxes will be much larger than the projected one. The budget expenditure was voted en bloc despite the objections raised by the representatives of the opposition who stayed in Parliament. Ivan Kostov proposed to reduce the projected payment of interests on external and internal loans by 395 million leva, to increase the allocation for physicians and teachers' salaries by 1,000 million leva and to make changes in the subsidies for agriculture, social insurance and some other sectors projected by the Government. The opposition MPs missed part of the parliamentary meeting to attend the Good Friday mass. Only four representatives of the opposition took part in the discussion and the vote on the revenue side of the budget. The MPs of the Popular Union refused to vote and did not return to Parliament after the mass. According to Ventseslav Dimitrov, the opposition did not want to assume responsibility for the adopted budget. With the 16-hour budget marathon came the end of the MPs' working week. In ten days' time, after the Easter recess, they will resume their work on the Budget Bill.
"The BSP laid the tax burden on the ordinary tax payer. Its Government was given the right not to collect over 20,000 million leva in taxes, which represents 20 per cent of the entire budget revenue," says a declaration of the parliamentary group of the UDF, read on the national television tonight. According to the UDF, the ruling majority has also failed to allocate justly the state expenditure.
Sofia, April 21 - A Bulgarian military delegation, led by Defense Minister Dimiter Pavlov, will be visiting Spain from April 25 through 27. The delegation will have talks with Spanish Minister of Defense Julian Garcia Vargas and with Foreign Minister Javier Solana Madariaga. A protocol on cooperation between the defense ministries of Bulgaria and Spain is expected to be signed. The sides will discuss military legislation, the restructuring of their armies and cooperation in the military industry. They will exchange views on Bulgaria's integration with the European and Euro- Atlantic structures. Minister Dimiter Pavlov will read a lecture on "Security on the Balkans - Its Condition and Prospects" at the Military Training Center of the Spanish Defense Ministry. The delegation will visit a military plant and a unit of the Spanish Air Forces.
On April 26-27, 1995 Colonel General Tsvetan Totomirov, Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army, will take part in the meeting of NATO's Military Committee with the cooperation partners and in the SHAPEX-95 annual conference.
Deputy PM and Minister of Economic Development Roumen Gechev received on Friday the French Ambassador here Marcel Tremeau, the Government's press office said. The two officials discussed the Bulgarian-French economic relations and the prospects for their promotion. Mr. Gechev familiarized the French diplomat with the conditions Bulgaria offers to foreign investors as well as with the key activities of the Ministry of Economic Development. Mr. Tremeau said that until recently Bulgaria was considered a risky country by the French investors, which accounts for the limited number of joint ventures and restricted French investments in this country. According to the French diplomat, the recently observed political stability of the Bulgarian government and economic growth would make the French businessmen revise their attitude to Bulgaria. Mr. Tremeau said that there is a definite interest in France towards Bulgaria, and the prospects it offers for investment and participation in privatization.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Stanimir Alexandrov had a meeting with Marrack Golding, UN Assistant Secretary General, in New York. The sides exchanged views on the crisis in ex-Yugoslavia and the international community's efforts to settle it. Special attention was paid to the economic problems of the countries suffering losses from the Yugoembargo. Mr. Alexandrov acquainted Golding with Bulgaria's latest ideas and proposals for resolving those problems.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Development and Construction Doncho Konakchiev met today with representatives of the German company RWE, led by the Chairman of the Board of Directors Herbert Kraemer. RWE is Germany's fifth largest concern and its main line of business is collecting, processing, recycling and depositing household and industrial waste. The guests expressed readiness to invest and cooperate in utility services, water treatment, construction of waste processing installations and realization of projects in that field in various regions in Bulgaria.
On Easter eve President Zhelyu Zhelev and football- player Hristo Stoichkov visited the home for parentless children and the school for disabled children in the town of Roman (Northwestern Bulgaria). They gave presents to the children.
His Holiness Patriarch Maksim of Bulgaria held an Easter service at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Saturday night. "Easter greetings to all children of our Holy Church in Bulgaria and outside it," Patriarch Maksim said. President Zhelyu Zhelev, ministers, diplomats and thousands of Bulgarians attended the service.
Metropolitan Yossif, official representative of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for the United States, Canada and Australia, was not allowed access to the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Eastern Orthodox Church in New York for the celebration of Easter, Plamen Tsvetkov reported from New York. By decision of the board of trustees, Metropolitan Yossif was banned from holding a service in that church because he was sawing dissent among the members of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox community in New York, Neno Petrov, chairman of the board of trustees, told BTA. He added that the reason for making this decision was not only the lawsuit against Metropolitan Yossif; the board of trustees complied with the community's desire to preserve the unity of the Bulgarian emigrants living in New York.