EU Supports Bulgaria is Efforts to Close Negotiations in 2004, Becomes Clear at the EU Conference in Brussels

Bulgaria and Romania can successfully close EU negotiations in 2004 and sign the pre-accession agreement with the Union in 2005. This is written in a draft document approved by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 15 EU member countries and the 10 others, which are to join the Union next year, at the working session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the EU held on December 8-9, 2003 in Brussels.

Bulgaria participated in the conference with an observer status. The delegation headed by Mr. Solomon Passy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also included Mrs. Meglena Kouneva, Minister of European Affairs.

US Under Secretary of Defense Douglas Feith Visits Bulgaria to Negotiate Deployment of US Military Bases in Bulgaria

On December 10, 2003 a US delegation, headed by the Under Secretary of Defense Douglas Feith, arrived to Bulgaria to commence political consultations regarding Washington is decision to re-dislocate American military troops in Europe and the world. Such consultations are held with NATO member countries, with applicant countries and partners. The schedule of the delegation included meetings with the President and Chief Commander of the Military Forces Georgi Parvanov, the Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the National Assembly Chairman Ognian Gerdjikov, the Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and with the governing bodies of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army.

EU State and Government Leaders Meet

On December 12-13, 2003, in Brussels a meeting of the state and government leaders of the EU member states, the acceding countries and the applicant countries was held within the framework of the EU Intergovernmental Conference on the adoption of the future Constitution for Europe.

The Bulgarian delegation was led by Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and included the Minister of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy and the Minister of European Affairs Meglena Kouneva.

Minister Solomon Passy Chairs Open Session of the UN Security Council on Kosovo

On 17 December 2003, in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy chaired the open session of the UN Security Council on Kosovo. In his statement he declared that Bulgaria supported from the beginning the policy of pre-statute standards, aimed at building a democratic and multiethnic society in Kosovo. Minister Passy pointed out that the initiative of the Special Representative of the Secretary General Mr. Holkeri for a concrete pre-statute standards policy and elaboration of a comprehensive mechanism for supervision of its implementation was a logical and useful continuation of the efforts of the Contact Group and of the Special Representative of the Secretary General under the auspices of the UN Security Council.

The Bulgarian First Diplomat Pays a Working Visit to Libya

On December 19-20, 2003 the Minister of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy paid a working visit to Libya at the invitation of his Libyan counterpart Mr. Abdel Rahman Mohammed Shalkam.

Minister Passy was received by the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi and had a one-hour conversation with him. Minister Passy congratulated the Libyan leader on declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya announcing the country is initiative to relinquish all components, technologies and programs for production of internationally banned weapons of mass destruction.

Alber II, King of Belgium, and Queen Paola Pay a Private Visit to Bulgaria for New Year

The Belgian royal couple paid a private visit to Bulgaria and welcomed the New year in the Borovetz resort.

On January 2, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and his guests the King of Belgium Alber II and his wife Queen Paola spent more than four hours in the Rila Monastery.

NATO Supreme Commander in Europe Visits Bulgaria to Discuss Bulgaria’s Preparations to Join NATO

On January 8, 2004 NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe U.S. Gen. James Jones arrived on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Nikola Kolev.

The aim of the visit was to discuss the tasks executed by the Bulgarian army in the process of its reformation, our country’s preparations to joint and incorporate into the Alliance, as well as the opportunities for future cooperation with NATO Strategic Commanding Staff of Operations.

The Finance Ministers of Bulgaria and Turkey Place Development of Bilateral Relations Among the Highest Priorities of the Two Countries

On January 14, 2004 a delegation headed by the Minister of Finance of Turkey Mr. Kemal Unakitan arrived on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Minister of Finance Milen Veltchev.

At their meeting the two delegations stated that the development of bilateral relations, both in political and economic terms, was one of the most important priorities of the two countries. These priorities are in accord with the common priorities for NATO and EU membership, Minister Veltchev said after the meeting.

Among the discussed topics were the measures which need to be taken in order to facilitate the passing of vehicles through Kapikule – Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint. The Turkish delegation was informed on the concrete decisions made by the Council of Ministers to that effect.