News from Bulgaria / Mar 1, 96

From: bulgaria@access1.digex.net (Embassy of Bulgaria)

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Directory

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.

BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY

1 March, 1996

CONTENTS

[01] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' DECISIONS

Sofia, february 29 (BTA) - The Council fo Ministers approved an air service agreement with Slovakia, signed in Sofia on December 8, 1995, and will propose to Parliament to ratify it.

The Government approved a draft agreement on cooperation between the Bulgarian Defence Ministry on the one hand and the Turkish Ministry of Defence and the General Staff on the other. "Croatia and Macedonia will also be contacted for the same purpose," Government Spokesman Nikolai Baltov said.

The Government approved draft agreements on legal assistance in civil and criminal matters and extradition to be negotiated with Macedonia.

The Government approved an agreement with Spain regulating the legal status and the conditions for the operation of cultural institutions, signed on September 5, 1995 in Sofia.

The Government finalized the position of the Bulgarian delegation to the meeting of the Intergovernmental Bulgarian-Syrian Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological cooperation which is to be held from March 11 through 13 in Damascus. It will be the first meeting of the Committee after an eight-year break. According to Government Spokesman Baltov, the break led to a drop in Bulgarian-Syrian trade.

The Government endorsed an agreement on cooperation in quarantine and plant protection and an agreement on cooperation in veterinary medicine with the Czech Republic.

The Government approved the composition of Bulgaria's delegation to the 9th meeting of the states parties to the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Government gave its consent for Bulgaria hosting the meeting of the ministers of posts and telecommunications of the Balkan countries. It is to be held on April 25-26 in Sofia under the patronage of Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The participants will consider the development of posts and telecommunications in the Balkans and the possibility of creating a regional telecommunication pool. The idea about the pool was launched at the Ioannina meeting in August 1995, attended by Bulgarian, Greek and Romanian officials. Later Cyprus and Yugoslavia also showed interest in the idea.

By decision of the Cabinet, the prices of A-98, A-96, A-93 and A-91 petrol and of lead-free petrol are going up by 2.50 leva as of March 1. The price of A-86 is increased by 2.0 leva. The entry into force of the new Liquid Fuel Charges Act, the exchange rate of the US dollar and fuel prices on the Mediterranean market are the factors for the increase.

[02] DELEGATION OF GREEK COALITION in SOFIA

Zhan Videnov and his Greek guest discussed the situation in the Balkans after the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and declared themselves in favour of new Balkan-wide initiatives for strengthening peace and expanding of cooperation. The talks also focused on the role of the left forces for generating ideas for activating the Balkan processes. The delegation of the Coalition of the Left and Progressive Forces in Greece (Synaspismos), led by its President Nikolaos Konstantinopoulos was also received today by National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov, the Parliament's press office said. The parties exchanged views on the legislative institutions of the two neighbouring countries and their role for the promotion of active relations between the two states.

The Greek politicians supported the initiative of Bulgarian Prime Minister Videnov for a meeting of Balkan foreign ministers, the news release said. According to the news report, Greece will support Bulgaria in its efforts to integrate fully in the European structures.

[03] DEPUTY PM KONAKCHIEV'S VISIT TO MOSCOW

The two sides stressed the necessity of creating new forms of cooperation in compliance with the conditions of market economy. They agreed to set up joint ventures, exchange information about tenders and cooperate in urban planning and urbanization. Sofia Regional Governor Todor Kostadinov, accompanying Konakchiev, briefed Vladimir Resin on the cooperation between Sofia and Moscow in the spheres of infrastructure, construction, finances and banking.

Later in the day Minister Konakchiev met with Zinovii Pak, Chairman of the State Committee for Defence Issues, the press release says. The two sides stated their will to continue the implementation of the program on research development testing and evaluation in special production. Konakchiev and Pak agreed that it is necessary to draw up new developments, on the basis of cooperation, designed for joint production and export to third countries. Konakchiev and Pak stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in special technologies for the production of new military and civilian goods.

In connection with the forthcoming visit of Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov to the Russian Federation, the two parties decided to prepare all relevant documents which are to be signed.

Doncho Konakchiev also met with Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Natural Disasters Sergei Shoigu. The two of them discussed cooperation in the management of natural disasters and major industrial accidents. The Bulgarian side showed interest to the Russian equipment for protection of population and monitoring in this field.

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER PIRINSKI TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO GREECE

As mutually agreed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Pirinski will pay an official visit to Greece on April 4 and 5, 1996, the Foreign Ministry's Information Department announced.

[05] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRCKOVSKI CONFERS WITH BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR

Sofia, February 29 (BTA) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Ljubomir Frckovski today conferred with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria in Skopje Angel Dimitrov, the correspondent of the Bulgarian National Radio reported. At the meeting, which was also attended by Ambassador Yordan Kozhouharov of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, the sides discussed the state and the prospects of relations between the two neighbouring Balkan countries. In connection with a letter from Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov to his Macedonian counterpart Branko Crvenkovski, the sides also considered the opportunities for wider and accelerated Balkanwide interaction as part of the pan-European integration processes. As is known, the letter extended an invitation to a meeting of the Balkan foreign ministers in Sofia at the end of June 1996, intended to start a comprehensive process of Balkan cooperation involving all countries in this part of Europe. Macedonia expressed interest in the idea, and according to the Macedonian Foreign Minister, Skopje had no dilemmas about Macedonia's participation in the processes of Balkanwide cooperation, the National Radio correspondent reported. Both sides agreed that the foreign ministers meeting in the Bulgarian capital should be well prepared so as to achieve better results, and that further consultations on the matter will probably be held. So far the chief Balkan diplomats have held two such meetings, in Belgrade and Tirana.

[06] BULGARIAN DEFENCE MINISTER DIMITER PAVLOV RETURNS FROM U.S.

Sofia, February 29 (BTA) - "With US Defence Minister we discussed the future assistance for the organisation, training and sending of forces to the IFOR, the situation in the Balkans and Bulgaria's military-political relations with the US," said Defence Minister Dimiter Pavlov upon his return from the US today. In the United States Minister Pavlov met also with former American ambassador to Bulgaria William Montgomery with whom he discussed the upcoming meeting of Balkan defence ministers due in late March. "We asked support for our joining the IFOR, but there was no word about financial assistance," Mr Pavlov said. He also said the NATO issue was not on the agenda either.

Minister Pavlov's visit to the US was in connection with the retirement ceremony of Admiral William Owens, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two admirals got acquainted in 1991 when Dimiter Pavlov was commander of Bulgaria's naval forces and General Owens, commander of US Sixth Fleet.

[07] PHARE GRANTS ECU 4.4 MLN TO BULGARIAN TOURISM

The main purpose of the PHARE programme is to help along the structural adjustment of tourism by providing technical assistance in different areas, according to PHARE expert Joseph Van Doorn. Ecu 1,130,000 are granted under PHARE for it. It is planned to create a statistical data base about the condition of the tourist industry and a computerized system for tourist information and bookings in the first six months of the programme's implementation.

Small and medium-size companies need a lot of funds to be able to operate in tourism. That is why the next step would be the setting up of a special fund, started up with money granted under PHARE, Peter Perrison, PHARE expert in charge of this programme, said. Thus private tour operators can apply for loans at very low interest rates, the expert said. Ecu 1.2 million will be provided for the training of personnel for tourism. The programme will start in June with the holding of a symposium. Other events are later on the agenda.

Largest is the amount granted for marketing and publicity, Ecu 1.5 million. It is planned to produce pamphlets, video films and posters to present Bulgaria at international tourist fairs.

[08] RATIFICATIONS IN PARLIAMENT

Bulgaria has ratified the 1987 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Between March 1992 and April 1994 the Bulgarian Ministry of the Environment, assisted by the World Bank and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, worked out a national programme for phase-out of ozone depleting substances.

Experts of the Ministry of the Environment and consultants of the Danish Agency and the World Bank developed 25 investment projects, seeking to technologically restructure refrigeration and other industries, to phase out CFC use. Sixteen projects, worth a total of 10.5 million dollars, have been approved.

Parliament ratified the UN Biological Diversity Convention signed on June 5, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1991 Bulgaria ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. In the last two years this country took part in the managing bodies of these conventions and in expert groups. Bulgaria developed a national strategy for preservation of biodiversity.

[09] PARLIAMENT PASSES AMENDED TAX ADMINISTRATION ACT

Without further amendments, Bulgaria's 240-seat Parliament today passed by 121 votes additions and revisions to the Tax Administration Act returned for consideration by President Zhelyu Zhelev. The amended Act provides for the setting up of a national service for prevention and detection of tax evasion. The amendments to the 1993 Act are part of a package of legislation designed to raise the efficiency of tax collection.

President Zhelev challenged the amendments on the grounds that they empower the service officers to search offices and vehicles, without expressly stating the circumstances in which the search is lawful. Zhelev also pointed out that the service was given powers infringing on the rights of the persons searched without sufficient guarantees that these powers will not be exceeded. "The possibility for officers acting in bad faith to take advantage of certain provisions and infringe on citizen's rights may compromise this important statutory act and foil the achievement of its purposes," Zhelev said in his reasoning, returning the amendments for further consideration on Tuesday.

The President's reasoning is unconvincing and unsubstantiated, the Parliamentary Committee on State Bodies' Organization and Operation said in an opinion adopted on Wednesday. It stressed that the law expressly states the service's powers and the circumstances in which it may conduct searches. "The provisions, which are consistent with the Code of Criminal Procedure, guarantee that the tax authorities may not use their powers for any purpose other than the prevention and detection of tax evasion," the Committee said in its opinion. Now that Parliament has retaken the vote on the amendments in their original version, the President must issue a decree on their gazetting within seven days. A law may be challenged before the Constitutional Court.

[10] TERM FOR CUSTOMS RE-REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES EXTENDED

The time allowed for customs re-registration of companies has been extended until April 1, 1996, "24 Chassa" writes citing Bogomil Cholakov, Deputy Chief of the General Customs Directorate. An amendment to the customs legislation adopted at the end of 1995 requires re-registration of all companies dealing with export and import with the customs authorities by March 1, 1996. Failing to do so, the respective company loses its right to conduct foreign trade. However, the Ministry of Finance and the customs authorities were late with the opening of the re-registration campaign, drawing vigorous protests from merchants because they are required to present a considerable amount of documents. By extending the term we sought to prevent complications and unnecessary nerve wrecking, Cholakov told "24 Chassa". If companies fail to file in their documents by April 1, the deadline will probably be extended once again.

[11] HOLIDAY'96 TOURIST FAIR

This year the fair is attended by 120 tour operators, tourist agencies, organizations and companies producing tourist facilities, equipment and goods. "The fair is a venue for offers and supplies," Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce President Tsvetan Tonchev said.

Meetings and discussions among experts in the branch are scheduled for the first two days of the fair. On the third day the fair will be open to the broad public. The program of Holiday'96 includes representations of tourist companies, news conferences, discussions on licensing and classification in the tourist branch.

A long-standing participant in the event is the Bulgarian Association of Tourist Agencies (BATA) which was set up four years ago by 46 travel agencies. Currently BATA has 100 members. Private tourist business is represented by the Union of Private Hotel Keepers and Restaurateurs. In 1995, 640 private agents belonged to the Union, but at present their number is considerably lower. The large number of bankruptcies of tourist companies causes alarm, the Union's Chairman Blagoi Ragin said. Unfortunately, more companies go bankrupt than are being created, he added. The unfavourable conditions for business in Bulgaria caused the delay of structural reform, Ragin stated. By tradition, the fair is attended by tourist companies from Macedonia, Cyprus and Russia.

[12] NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF IMPORTS

Sofia, February 29 (BTA) - The Single Administrative Document of the European Community will replace the effective customs declaration as from October 1, 1996, under a Decree on Determination of the Customable Value of Imported Goods which the Council of Ministers adopted today. This arrangement conforms to the requirements of the World Trade Organization. Negotiations are under way on Bulgaria's accession to this institution. In addition to the customs declaration, which will be used until October 1, the Decree introduced a Declaration of the Customable Value of Freight, Insurance and Handling Costs. The determination of the customable value of software products is also regulated in the Decree. Until Bulgaria's admission to the World Trade Organization, the effective regulations on the tariff treatment of imported fuels and used cars.