Ta nea toy BTA 17-Mar-95[*] BTA inf/ Mar. 17, 95 Ta nea apo thn Presbeia ths Boylgarias sthn Washington, D.C. [01] . PRESIDENT ZHELEV MEETS AMBASSADORS OF EU AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS [02] . PRESIDENT STARTS CONSULTATIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAW [03] . COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' DECISIONS [04] . CABINET APPROVES SECURITIES, STOCK EXCHANGES AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES BILL [05] . GOVERNMENT ENDORSES HIGHER EDUCATION BILL [06] . DOMESTIC RATHER THAN BILATERAL PROBLEMS POSTPONE CHERNOMYRDIN'S VISIT [07] * IN PARLIAMENT TODAY [Episkech boyleytwn sthn Auhna stis 18 Martioy] [08] . PARLIAMENT RATIFIES BILATERAL, MULTILATERAL TREATIES [09] . BULGARIA, RUSSIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION [10] . GOVERNMENT APPOINTS GOVERNOR OF SOFIA CITY REGION [11] . I.M.F. MISSION AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MEET [12] . PRIVATIZATION IN BULGARIA MUST BE QUICK AND DECISIVE [13] * MILITARY AIR FORCE MAY HAVE TO BE GROUNDED BEFORE YEAR'S END, ITS COMMANDER SAYS [14] . BULGARIAN-SLOVAK BUSINESS FORUM [15] BUSINESS PRESS . ONE-DAY WORKING MEETING OF BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN TRANSPORT MINISTERS. [16] THURSDAY NEWS BRIEFS * LOCAL BRANCHES OF THE DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY INTEND TO SUPPORT THE SOCIALISTS' NOMINEES FOR MAYORS. * THE KOZLODOUI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WAS SHUT DOWN LAST NIGHT. . THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY CONFERRED WITH THE AMBASSADOR OF SPAIN IN SOFIA. . THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN POLICY CONFERRED WITH AMBASSADOR THOMAS O'SULLIVAN. Giwrgos Kapodistrias ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: bulgaria@access4.digex.net (Embassy of Bulgaria) Subject: BTA inf/ Mar. 17, 95 Date: 17 Mar 1995 13:55:10 -0500 EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C. BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY BULLETIN OF NEWS FROM BULGARIA MARCH 17, 1995 [01] PRESIDENT ZHELEV MEETS AMBASSADORS OF EU AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS President Zhelyu Zhelev had a working breakfast with the Ambassadors of the European Union member states and of the EU associate members here today. In a brief speech Zhelev stressed that Bulgaria's laborious reforms only stand to gain from the everyday efforts of the state and its institutions within the framework of European cooperation, but they require willpower, perseverance and imagination. "I follow closely all debates and processes with a single purpose in mind: not to allow any deviation from the clearly stated will of the Bulgarian people for rebirth of our European identity," Zhelev said. President Zhelev added that as head of state he will fulfill his constitutional duties and will always insist on Bulgaria's meeting its international commitments: a policy of equal treatment of this country's foreign partners, non- interference in the internal affairs of the countries in the region, respect for human rights and national sovereignty, of being at one with European identity. "I know my country well and I can think of some possible temptations, but I am aware of my responsibility to Bulgaria's civil society, which is being revitalized, and I will not hesitate to stand up for the basic principles of Bulgaria's foreign policy enshrined in the Constitution," President Zhelev said. The Head of State stressed that it is very important for Bulgaria to participate in the preparation of the EU intergovernmental conference in 1996. He believes it will give this country a chance to see how the European structures function and voice its views. Dr. Zhelev further addressed the ambassadors of EU associated members saying "our countries should walk together the difficult road to the Union and leave behind all barriers and the bitterness of the unjust fate". In conclusion, the President quoted Oxford lecturer Richard Crampton, who says in his "Short History of Bulgaria" that rarely in Bulgaria's contemporary history has Europe been more important for this country, just as Bulgaria has never before been more important for Europe. [02] PRESIDENT STARTS CONSULTATIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAW President Zhelyu Zhelev started consulting political parties with environment-dominated programs on their opinion of a recently enacted amendment to the Environmental Protection Act. The amendment gives the government the right to carry out construction of facilities of vital importance just on the basis of an expert evaluation of their environmental impact. Under the amendment, the operation of any such facility could be suspended within one year after its commissioning if it pollutes the environment beyond permissible limits until the pollution is eliminated. The amendment was passed on March 8 and the President has 14 days to sign it into law or impose a suspensory veto. Representatives of the Ecoglasnost Political Club (a coalition partner of the Bulgarian Socialist Party) briefed Dr. Zhelev on their organization's familiar position, according to which the law provides adequate guarantees against degrading the environment with impunity. The Club's Chairman, Mr. Peter Slabakov MP, holds a dissenting opinion. He has declared himself against the amendment. Environment Minister Georgi Georgiev, who is member of the Ecoglasnost Political Club, also presented his views on the matter to the President today. The parallel evaluation of the environmental impact, required under the amendment, could not be used for the construction of facilities jeopardizing the environment and human life, Mr. Georgiev told reporters. He recalled his position against amending the law and that he had abstained when the bill was put to the vote for approval at a Cabinet meeting. Still, he argued that the definition of the phrase "vital importance" as concerning the protection of human life and public health gives him a free hand in his capacity as Minister of the Environment to stop the construction of any project involving environment risks. The President also conferred with MPs of the Ecoglasnost National Movement, affiliated to the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), who oppose the amendment to the Environmental Protection Act. According to the UDF ecologists, the President shares their opinion and misgivings. [03] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' DECISIONS At today's meeting the Council of Ministers endorsed the draft of the Pact for Stability in Europe, Government Spokesman Nikola Baltov told reporters today. The Pact will be discussed at the forthcoming concluding conference on stability in Europe to be held on March 20-21 in Paris. At it the foreign ministers of the countries in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are expected to adopt the document with consensus. The Government approved a draft agreement on air transport between Bulgaria and Ireland. Transport Minister Stamen Stamenov was authorized to sign the agreement. The Government approved a draft agreement between Bulgaria and Croatia on cooperation in organized crime control, combating the illicit traffic of drugs and psychotropic substances, and fighting terrorism. Interior Minister Nachev was authorized to negotiate and sign the agreement. Automobiles imported in Bulgaria to be rented will not qualify as temporary imports, the Cabinet decided today, making changes in the Ordinance on Customs Control of Goods Carried across the International Border of the republic of Bulgaria and the Customs Act Implementing regulations. Motor vehicles, owned by foreign embassies, consulates, trade and other missions and their employees, as well as those owned by the missions of international organizations, shall qualify as temporary imports. The Cabinet heard the report by Greater Sofia Mayor Alexander Yanchoulev about resolving the problem with Sofia's water supply. It was decided that the Greater Sofia Council should present a short-term program of measures for overcoming the water crisis in Bulgaria's capital by March 25, 1995, and a long-term program for resolving the problem of Sofia's water supply by September 30, 1995. Water in Sofia is rationed as of November last year. The Government approved in principle a draft agreement on a loan from the World Bank for the restructuring and modernization of water supply and sewerage companies. The project will cost 131 million US dollars; 98 million could be borrowed from the World Bank, 33 million would be provided from the public purse and the water supply and sewerage companies. It is envisaged to repay the loan in 17 years with a four-year grace period. The Ministry of Regional Development and Construction and the Ministry of Finance will negotiate the loan agreement which will have to be ratified by Parliament when signed. [04] CABINET APPROVES SECURITIES, STOCK EXCHANGES AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES BILL The Council of Ministers today approved a securities, stock exchanges and investment companies bill. The bill conforms to the European Union's essential requirements in securities issuance and trading. The Council of Ministers decided against imposing bureaucratic restriction on the number of stock exchanges and in favor of leaving them to consolidate naturally, Justice Minister Mladen Chervenyakov told reporters. The Ministry of Economic Development was assigned to submit its own reasoning for the establishment of a single stock exchange with a majority state-held interest. The bill provides for the establishment of a Securities and Stock Exchange Commission as an authority regulating and controlling the issuance of and trading in securities. It is suggested that the members of the Commission be nominated by the Council of Ministers and elected by the National Assembly. The bill introduces certain qualifications for the of eligibility of joint-stock companies to operate as stock exchanges, intended to ensure their better stability and liquidity. These qualifications include written authorization from the Securities and Stock Exchange Commission and a 50 million leva minimum amount of authorized capital. Offenders will be liable to administrative penalties, including revocation of the license. The bill limits the underwriting of securities issues and transacting in securities in an investment broker capacity to banks and other persons licensed to carry on such business under the terms of and according to the procedure established by the act. Securities, for which a prospectus has been issued, will be eligible for listing on a stock exchange under the terms and according to the procedure of the rules of the exchange. Exchanges are required to create equal conditions for the participation of investors in trading, and the modalities of trading are left to the discretion of each exchange. The bill provides for two types of investment companies: open-end funds, which will at any time buy back their shares from each of their shareholders on request, and closed-end funds. [05] GOVERNMENT ENDORSES HIGHER EDUCATION BILL A bill on higher education was approved today at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. In its transitional and final provisions the bill envisages that the term of office of higher schools administrations be ended with the enforcement of the legislation, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Prof. Stancho Stamov told reporters The bill regulates the establishment of a national agency, authorized to approve, open and introduce reforms in higher schools, university departments and subjects. All existing higher schools will have to get recognized by the agency. According to Prof. Stamov the higher schools amount to some 40, including three private establishments. Higher education will be supported by the state only on restricted occasions and students will have to pay for their education in all other cases. The state will be entitled to reduce or abolish tuition fees in chosen higher education establishments and students will be given opportunities to apply for grants and loans under relieved conditions. Under the legislation the academic establishments will retain their autonomy. The bill also introduces a new training scheme for post-secondary education. According to the ministers of justice and of education, the Bill also introduces a structure, corresponding to the system of higher education degrees in the developed countries in Europe and round the world. It envisages the introduction of educational degrees "specialist", "bachelor", "master" and "doctor". All who have acquired higher education will be entitled to a Master's degree in Arts or Science. College graduates will hold a 'specialist' degree. The draft legislation regulates the organization of research work at higher schools and prescribes a widened framework of rights and obligations for regular and post-graduate students. Under the legislation the higher schools will receive financial support from various sources and will decide on their own on the number of students they can admit and on the amount of payment they can provide for their lecturers. [06] DOMESTIC RATHER THAN BILATERAL PROBLEMS POSTPONE CHERNOMYRDIN'S VISIT The postponement of Russian PM Viktor Chernomyrdin's visit to Bulgaria is in no way related to problems concerning the bilateral relations and the coordination of the agreements planned for signing. It was necessitated by internal political problems, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation here Alexander Avdeyev told a news conference today. It was reported yesterday that in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Zhan Videnov Mr. Chernomyrdin put up for a later date his official visit to Bulgaria, scheduled for March 23. The Russian Prime Minister will probably visit Bulgaria in late spring, the Russian Ambassador said. The date will be specified during a visit of Deputy Prime Minister Kiril Tsochev to Moscow at the invitation of Viktor Chernomyrdin at the end of March. Mr. Avdeyev stressed that the agreed visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Afanasievski to Bulgaria, intended to prepare for Chernomyrdin's visit will not be postponed. Mr. Afanasievski will be in Sofia on March 20 and 21 to hold consultations on European cooperation and the situation in the Balkans. The Russian-Bulgarian relations have been progressing successfully and the two states are engaged in an intensive and comprehensive political dialogue; Russia's President, Prime Minister and Parliament are satisfied with the bilateral cooperation, Alexander Avdeyev said. The Russian Ambassador denied allegations published in the Bulgarian press that the visit has been delayed for problems concerning the coordination of the agreement on settling the mutual obligations. "Russia has no intentions of reconsidering the preliminary agreements, including the coordinated amount of its 100 million loan to Bulgaria," Mr. Avdeyev emphasized. He said that the list of Russian goods intended to be used for paying this country's loan to Bulgaria is being specified. "We respect Bulgaria's wish that a large part of Russia's obligations be paid in spare parts for the army," the Russian Ambassador said, adding that an expedient volume of spare parts deliveries will be specified. In his view, the false statements published in certain Bulgarian papers were due to misunderstanding or lack of information. "The spare parts issue is a technical, rather than a political one," Alexander Avdeyev said. Mr. Avdeyev expects that the bilateral accords will be coordinated by the end of March. After the postponement of the visit it became possible to prepare a number of additional agreements for cooperation in transport. The Russian Ambassador dismissed as false certain comments in the Bulgarian press which claimed that the postponement of the visit was prompted by President Zhelyu Zhelev's statements about Bulgaria's wish to join NATO. "We deeply respect Bulgaria's independent foreign policy. We view the shades in the approaches to certain issues as a basis for a comprehensive dialogue," Russian Ambassador Alexander Avdeyev said. [07] IN PARLIAMENT TODAY The National Assembly dismissed three members from the Supervisory Board of the Privatization Agency on the quota of the Parliament. The parliamentary majority filled the quota of the National Assembly by appointing six new members, proposed by the BSP-led coalition, including Associate Professor Dimiter Stefanov, Stanimir Tsotsov, Ass. Professor Ivan Grozev, Peter Harizanov, Michail Mikov and Ass. Professor Ivan Georgiev. The opposition Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), the ethnic Turks' Movement for Rights and Freedoms and the Popular Union moved one candidate each, who, however, did not get sufficient number of votes. The Parliament adopted at first reading today a Bill revising and completing the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Act. The proposers claimed the amendments will adapt the legislation to the requirements of the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. The MPs of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security met today with the Director of the National Investigative Service General Brigo Asparouhov. Committee members said that they held the first talks of acquaintance. Members of the Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee MPs Peter Bashikarov of BSP and Alexander Yordanov of the UDF will pay a visit to Athens on March 18, it was reported after today's meeting of this parliamentary committee. In the Greek capital the Bulgarian MPs will hold meetings with MPs of the committee on foreign policy of the Greek Parliament. A study, conducted by experts of the Agriculture Ministry proved that the country provides with sufficient resources and does not need to import maize, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Manyu Manev said today at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Based on these conclusions, the Committee members adopted a decision not to sign any agreements for import of maize under a commodity and credit agreement with the United States. The Parliamentary Committee on Radio, Television and the BTA adopted a final version of its internal rules for operation. [08] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES BILATERAL, MULTILATERAL TREATIES Parliament today ratified the Convention on evaluation of environmental impact in a trans-boundary context, signed by Bulgaria in Espo, Finland, in February 1991. Parliament enacted separate pieces of legislation, ratifying the intergovernmental agreements on reciprocal investment promotion and protection between: Bulgaria and Sweden, signed in Sofia in April 1994; Bulgaria and Greece, signed in Sofia on March 12, 1993; Bulgaria and Denmark, signed in Copenhagen in April 1993; and Bulgaria and Russia, signed in Sofia in June 1993. Parliament ratified the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) of 1957 and the 1993 Protocol amending this Agreement. [09] BULGARIA, RUSSIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION "Bulgaria and Russia set on the road to transition at different times and with different economic and political potentials. In order to meet the challenges of the time, we should restore our economic and trade cooperation, expand and revive the market positions of the to states' business circles and create favorable conditions for the bilateral trade relations," said today Prime Minister Zhan Videnov at the opening ceremony of a two-day meeting of business circles from Bulgaria and Russia in Sofia. The forum is organized by the Union of Bulgarian Industry and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Businessmen with the cooperation of the Bulgarian-Russian Investment Bank. The opening ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Kiril Tsochev, the Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Alexander Avdeyev, Bulgarian ministers and MPs, representatives of over a hundred of Russian and dozens of Bulgarian companies and economic unions from the public and the private sectors. "We should not yield our markets to Western firms; our nations would not forgive this to us," said Arkadii Volski, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Businessmen. He stressed that a number of Bulgarian commodities feature quality which meets the international standards and are still enjoying demand on the Russian market. In his view the same holds true for a number of Russian goods on the Bulgarian market. "We are going to sign an agreement with the Union of Bulgarian Industry for the establishment of a Bulgarian-Russian trading house," Mr. Volski said. "The meeting is a logical continuation of the contacts at various levels, which have decisively been becoming more active over the last few months since the new Bulgarian government came into power," Russia's Ambassador to Bulgaria Alexander Avdeyev told the meeting. "The forum is a major event in the preparations for the upcoming meeting between Bulgarian and Russian prime ministers," he said. Mr. Avdeyev conveyed Prime Minister Chernomyrdin's deep regret for the postponement of his planned visit to Sofia in late March for purely internal political reasons. "Mr. Chernomyrdin acknowledges the significance of the Russian-Bulgarian relations for the settlement of Russia's economic problems and not only supports them, but actively participates in their promotion," the Russian Ambassador said. [10] GOVERNMENT APPOINTS GOVERNOR OF SOFIA CITY REGION The Council of Ministers appointed today Todor Kostadinov Governor of the Sofia city region. So far the region of Sofia was under the jurisdiction of Sofia's mayor. The Government adopted in early March amendments to the Local Self-Government and Local Administration Act which introduced two separate offices. The proposers from the Socialist party claimed that the new office will help exercise a better control over the performance of Sofia's mayor. The newly appointed regional governor was born in 1947 and got a degree in philosophy and sociology in 1973; since 1974 he has been member of the apparatus of the Socialist party and since 1991 he has been a municipal councilor. [11] I.M.F. MISSION AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MEET Doncho Konakchiev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional development and Construction, and the mission of the International Monetary Fund, headed by Russel Kincaid, mission leader for Bulgaria, discussed the structural reform problems at a meeting today. The meeting was attended by IMF resident representative in Bulgaria Gregory Dahl, Government experts and the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Mincho Koralski. The goal of the two-week visit by the IMF mission, which started on March 14, is to get first-hand knowledge about the social and economic conditions in Bulgaria for the purpose of signing a fourth stand-by agreement on a 150 million US dollars loan. The IMF officials showed interest in the process of privatization in Bulgaria, the Government Press Office told BTA. The sides considered the combining of mass and market privatization, the preparations for mass privatization and the possibility for debt-for-equity swaps in the privatization process. Special attention was paid to the creation of a legal basis for the country's capital market. The IMF officials were acquainted with the draft legislation on securities, stock exchanges and investment companies the Government approved earlier today. The other topic of discussion was the state of finances of state enterprises, the efforts aimed to limit their losses, the pricing policy in general and electricity prices in particular. Russel Kincaid asked if the increase of electricity prices was enough. He was assured that the increase was the minimum needed to maintain the power industry in working order and the maximum one people can afford with their purchasing power. Earlier today the IMF mission had meetings with the Governing Board of the National Bank of Bulgaria, the Executive Director of the Bank Consolidation Company, Krassimir Angarski, and the deputy Minister of Economic development, Gancho Ganchev. The sides considered the banking system in Bulgaria in general and the state banks in trouble in particular, bank supervision and the monetary policy. [12] PRIVATIZATION IN BULGARIA MUST BE QUICK AND DECISIVE At today's news conference, Jiri Skalicki, Czech Minister of Administration and Privatization of National Property, said he was absolutely satisfied with his two-day visit to Bulgaria. He repeated his yesterday's statement that there is strong political will in Bulgaria for a radical change of ownership. The possibilities of applying the privatization experience of the Czech Republic were discussed at the official meetings with President Zhelyu Zhelev, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov and National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov, as well as during the working meetings held at the level of experts with representatives of the parliamentary Economic Committee, the Center for Mass Privatization and the Privatization Agency. The ration between cash and voucher privatization, the criteria in choosing the method for denationalization, the privatization stages and the problems it gives rise to were in the center of the talks. The discussion on the functioning of the capital market and the system of banking was of particular importance, said Entsislav Harmandjiev, Deputy Minster of Economic Development, who hosted the meetings. "The social, economic and legal conditions are different in the different countries, therefore each one of them should find its own privatization method," Mr. Skalicki noted. In his opinion, time is the most important factor for privatization, that is why it is necessary to act as quickly and decisively as possible. The Czech guest expressed his country's readiness to assist Bulgaria in the drafting of privatization plans and provide Czech experts for the preparation of voucher privatization in Bulgaria, expected to get off ground before the beginning of the autumn. According to Mr. Harmandjiev, about one-third of the fixed assets will be put up for voucher privatization. The voucher privatization project will be introduced before the Council of Ministers by the end of March. [13] MILITARY AIR FORCE MAY HAVE TO BE GROUNDED BEFORE YEAR'S END, ITS COMMANDER SAYS Before the end of this year, the State may well lose its "longest arm" in the projection of national security interests, the Air Force and particularly military aviation, said Lieutenant General Miho Mihov, Commander of the Air Force. The Air Force needs 17,000 million leva in 1995, of which 15,000 million for the aviation, he noted. (1 US dollar currently exchanges for 66.697 leva.) "But I am hearing that this amount will be budgeted for the entire armed force rather than for this service alone," General Mihov said. He added that Air Force legal experts are working on a project for the establishment of a fund for assistance of the air arm by Bulgarian donors; the suggestion came from seven officers in late January 1995. At a news conference a year ago, General Mihov put the survival minimum needed by the Air Force aviation at just 5,000 million leva (which then equaled 78 million US dollars). General Mihov noted that 47 per cent of the combat aviation is out of order and that this percentage is even higher in the helicopter fleet. The upward tendency which this proportion shows is more than tragic, he said. (Six months ago General Mihov told the National Assembly Committee on National Security that air unworthiness affected 40 per cent of the aircraft and asked for 2,000 million leva to meet the most urgent needs of the Air Force.) According to figures quoted by General Mihov, the majority of Air Force pilots log only 20 flight hours per annum instead of the scheduled 80, while Royal Air Force pilots in Britain, for example, spend 200 hours in the air annually. The limited use has helped save a certain amount of fuel, so expensive spare parts and repair of the available equipment are a greater problem. Besides, it is necessary to purchase at least one squadron of Czech-made L-39 trainers. General Mihov and members of his Military Council attribute the under-enrollment in the Higher Air Force School to the increased number of warplane crashes (three Air Force planes crashed in 1994, as against none in 1993; on an annual average, one - two pilots get killed in such accidents in recent years) and to the lack of prospects for decent pay of pilots. According to the Commander of the Air Force, the cadets admitted this year will not be enough to replace the retiring personnel. [14] BULGARIAN-SLOVAK BUSINESS FORUM A Bulgarian-Slovak business forum on bilateral trade opened in Sofia yesterday. Co-organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Slovak company, the two-day event is attended by 40 Bulgarian and 22 Slovak companies. The forum will focus on restoring the business contacts between Bulgaria and the Slovak Republic disrupted by the split of former Czechoslovakia, participants said. Slovakia offers traditional industrial products, including glass, china, ceramics, textiles and products of the chemical industry. At the forum, Bulgaria is represented by Pharmachim, Chimimport, Corecom and Plama. The 1994 Bulgarian-Slovak trade amounted to 30 million dollars, three million dollars up the 1993 figure. The participants will consider assembly of motorcycles with Slovak engines and Bulgarian parts and joint production of tires in Bulgaria. The foreign trade regulations is high on today's agenda. The forum will seek to identify the main obstacles in Bulgarian- Slovak trade. [15] BUSINESS PRESS A one-day working meeting of Bulgarian and Romanian Transport Ministers Stamen Stamenov and Aurel Novak discussed the transport links between the two countries, writes "Continent". The two also considered the location of the second bridge to be constructed across the Danube. A project developed by Alexander Gibb multinational company suggests that the bridge link Lom in Bulgaria and Rast in Romania. As the meeting was held at closed doors, there were only unofficial reports that said the Romanian side preferred the Oryahovo-Bechet variant, says this daily. [16] THURSDAY NEWS BRIEFS Local branches of the Democratic Justice Party in many places countrywide started consultations with the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and intend to support the Socialists' nominees for mayors at the forthcoming local elections, leaders of the party said. The Democratic Justice Party was established by Nedim Gendjev, a former chief mufti and now Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Theological Council. "Mulsims in Bulgaria are disappointed with the [parliamentary-represented ethnic Turks'] Movement for Rights and Freedoms, and the constituency of the party which I founded is basically left-oriented," Mr. Gendjev said. The 1,000 MW Unit Five of the Kozlodoui Nuclear Power Plant was shut down last night due to a failure outside the reactor section which is irrelevant to nuclear and radiological safety. The plant's deputy manager said the defect will be repaired within 24 hours and the unit will be restarted. The Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on National Security Mr. Nikolai Dobrev MP of the BSP today conferred with the Ambassador of Spain in Sofia, Mr. Jorge Fuentes Monzonis-Villalonga, who represents NATO in this country. The two considered questions concerning Bulgaria's participation in the Partnership for Peace Program and its contacts with the North Atlantic Alliance. The Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Policy Nikolai Kamov today conferred with Ambassador Thomas O'Sullivan, Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Sofia. At this working meeting, the two discussed the relations between Bulgarian parliamentarians and the members of the European Parliament, as well as the visit of a Bulgarian parliamentary delegation to Strasbourg in April.