UK Minister for Europe visits Bulgaria

[Suzanne]

UK Minister of State for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Douglas Alexander is paying a visit to Bulgaria. Conferring with European Affairs Minsiter Meglena Kouneva he has pointed out Sofia’s very good record so far. However, he has warned that efforts should be made to meet European Commission requirements. According to him January 1, 2007 is still a feasible date for this country’s joining the bloc, if the said requirements are met. Alexander has voiced satisfaction that during the UK’s Presidency of the EU a financial framework was set under which a considerable amount of funds are to be channeled to Bulgaria. Within a few weeks, Britain will ratify Bulgaria's EU Accession Treaty, said Douglas Alexander.According to him Britain has completed the parliamentary procedure preceding ratification and he was optimistic that his country would support Bulgaria's membership. The British Minister is scheduled to confer Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev and read a lecture on "The Accession and After" at Sofia's Sheraton Hotel.

http://www.bnr.bg/RadioBulgaria/Emission_English/News (http://www.bnr.bg/RadioBulgaria/Emission_English/News/0602++B5.htm)