Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski left on an official visit to Croatia this afternoon at the invitation of his counterpart Mate Granic.
Before his departure, Minister Pirinski told a BTA reporter that he will discuss in Zagreb the current state of the Bulgarian-Croatian relations and the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr Pirinski emphasized Bulgaria's concern over "the dramatic renewal of the military actions over the last month". "We are categorically convinced, that the peaceful solution is the only possible and the only one which could last," Mr Pirinski said. According to Mr Pirinski, the bilateral relations will not only be reviewed, but their future development will be discussed. "Or at least we shall prepare the ground for their future promotion," he said. Minister Pirinski also said that he will have a similar agenda in Belgrade, where he will pay an official visit in the beginning of next week. "Bulgaria is striving to support every initiative of the international community which seek an urgent and lasting resolution to the conflict as well as stabilization and development of the region, which incorporates Bulgaria, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, arrives on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria on Wednesday. He will meet President Zhelyu Zhelev, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov and Foreign Minister Geoorgi Pirinski. The sides are expected to discuss bilateral relations and the prospects for their activation and to exchange views on major international issues. Foreign Minister Durao Barroso and Foreign Minister Pirinski will sign an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation. Bulgaria and Portugal established diplomatic relations some 70 years ago; broken in 1945, the diplomatic relations were re-established in 1974 after the April revolution in Portugal. Two Portuguese presidents - Antonio dos Santos Ramalho Eanes and Mario Soares, visited Bulgaria in March 1979 and September 1994 respectively.
Bulgaria was visited by Portugal's foreign minister five years ago. In 1995 Joao de Deus Pinheiro, then foreign minister of Portugal, came to Bulgaria in his capacity as Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers accompanied by the then secretary general of the Council of Europe, Catherine Lalumiere. Three foreign ministers of Bulgaria paid visits to Portugal during the same period of time: Stoyan Ganev was on an official visit to Portugal in 1992; Stanislav Daskalov went to Lisbon seeking Portugal's support for deblocking Bulgaria's Interim Agreement on Trade with the European Union; Ivan Stancioff visited Poortugal at the beginning of 1995. The foreign ministers of the two countries meet regularly in New York in September every year during the annual sessions of the United Nations General Assmebly. Bulgaria and Portugal have a number of operative economic and trade agreements. Last year, during Mario Soares's visit to Bulgaria, the sides considered the conclusion of a treaty of friendship and cooperation. "All other documents that provide the legal framework for cooperation have been signed; what we need is a more comprehensive agreement," Bulgarian President Zhelev said at the time. The Portuguese side undertook to consider the matter. It was agreed that if no treaty was drafted, the sides would sign a declaration on bilateral relations. A Bulgaria-Portuguese-speaking Countries Association has been carrying out activities since June 1992. A Bulgarian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce was established today, adopting its statute. "I hope that the Chamber will become a real centre of economic contacts which, in turn, can promote cutlural contacts as well," said Ivan Petrov, Director of Portbul. Portugal was represented by Manuel Donasimento, member of the Portbul Board of Directors. The co-founders of the Bulgarian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce include the Bulgarian Atlantic Club, the companies Astarta and Velisterotrade, the MPs Boris Kolev and Stefan Sofiyanski, the editor-in-chief of the "Nedelen Standart News" Isaac Gozes and the chief of the first private radio station in Bulgaria, FM Plus, Peter Pounchev.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - "A resolution to the Yugocrisis should be sought in parallel with a settlement to the problem of lifting the sanctions against former Yugoslavia," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski said today, addressing the North Atlantic Assembly Rose- Roth seminar "Regional Stability and Security: the Bulgarian View". The forum was opened yesterday and was organized with the assistance of the Bulgarian National Assembly. "Bulgaria is a stable country and already a number of governments have been pursuing a balanced and consistent policy, seeking political settlement of the Yugocrisis and lasting and fair solution to the problems through peaceful means," Minister Pirinski said. "The actual solution to the Yugoconflict is closely related to providing guarantees that it will be prevented from spreading," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted. "The Balkans, however, need continuous stabilization, which cannot be achieved without a more dynamic approximation to Europe," Georgi Pirinski added.
Mr Pirinski elaborated on PM Zhan Videnov's views, voiced before the seminar yesterday, that regional stability may be achieved as part of the European and the global security through cooperation and integration both on a bilateral basis and through negotiations between regional organizations from Western, Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Bulgaria's integration into the European and the Euro-Atlantic structures, security organizations included, is among the priorities of the Socialist Government. Minister Pirinski did not provide a concrete answer to a question, asked by lord Lucas of Chilworth, about the priority that Bulgaria gives in seeking membership with the international organisations that Pirinski himself and PM Zhan Videnov have been mentioning: the EU, the WEU, the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe, NATO, etc. Lord Lucas put the same question to Prime Minister Videnov yesterday and was answered that in a future enlargement of the European and the Euro-Atlantic structures, the latter will be given equal treatment when deciding on Bulgaria's accession to any of them. He, however, stressed the importance of the country's membership in the EU. Zhan Videnov, Georgi Pirinski and the other official rapporteurs to the conference (Prof. Behar, Head of the Centre for Strategic Studies with the Defence Ministry and Georgi Dimitrov, Head of the Department for International Organizations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) brought forward the significance of the 1993 declaration, adopted by the 36th National Assemlby, which says that Bulgaria will use the possibilities for cooperation, offered by NATO and WEU with view to its future association with these organizations with consideration of Bulgaria's national interests. Vasil Mihailov MP of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces and member of the parliamentary Committee on National Security told the participants that the Government's stand on Bulgaria's integration into NATO, voiced by the two Cabinet members, is not a result of a consensus between the political forces in Parliament, nor is it supported by the whole public. "The national security bill, which the National Assembly has yet to adopt and which envisages that Bulgaria will observe neutrality, cannot guarantee this country's security," he said. In his view, only a full membership in NATO can provide such guarantees. "Bulgaria's full membership in NATO has on a number of occasions been backed by President Zhelyu Zhelev," Mr Mihailov recalled. "Videnov and Pirinski are well aware that without a NATO membership, Bulgaria's association with the European Union is unrealistic," Asen Agov, MP of the UDF, commented for reporters. At the time Mr Mihailov concluded his speech, there were no Cabinet representatives in the plenary hall. From an expert's point of view, Prof. Behar called on for more elaborate consideration of the problems connected with Bulgaria's membership in NATO. "It is only normal that the opposition holds a different view from that of the party in power, but it is not normal to say that the NATO issue produces hysteria in Bulgaria," Ivan Gaitandzhiev commented on Mihailov's statement. NATO representative Uenal Cevikoez said that it should be kept in mind that NATO has yet to adopt a single decision on its enlargement. If Bulgaria wants to become a NATO member, it should not wait for an invitation for ever but through a continued dialogue it should prepare its entry both in political terms and through changing the public mentality, Spanish Ambassador here Jorge Fuentes, who represents Bulgaria in NATO, said. In his personal view NATO would prefer that all new members join also the military structure of the organisation, despite the numerous variants. If the organisation consists of 25 or 125 members and not 16, this will be a new, different world, whose interrelations cannot be predicted at this stage, Mr Fuentes warned.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA). Bulgarian patrol boats opened fire on the Russian ship Volzhski-7, the press says. The ship disobeyed the orders of the Bulgarian port authorities and left the port without permission. It was followed by Bulgarian patrol boats which overtook it and fired several warning shots in the air. On the international radio channel, Volzhski-7 announced it was being chased by pirates. Four Russian ships responded to its call. The runaway ship was caught 25 miles off the port and was returned to it for a check of its documents in the presence of the Russian Consul to Varna. The ship's papers were in order. The incident took place after a bout of drinking on board, the border authorities say.
All dailies highlight Videnov's proposal that Sofia host the summit meeting between member countries of the Central European Initiative and Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The meeting will address issues of the common infrastructure of Southeastern Europe.
Leaders and MPs of the ethnic Turks' Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) were received by Turkish Ambassador Yalcin Oral. They asked that Bulgaria and Turkey sign an emigration agreement or that their common border be opened and entry-visa requirements be relaxed, "Continent" says. According to a participant in the meeting, Ambassador Oral ruled out both the agreement and the wide opening of the border.
A hundred and fifty children of Southern Bulgaria were forced to seek illegal ways to reunite with their parents in Turkey, "24 Chassa" says, quoting the MRF coordinator for Southern Bulgaria Mohamed Redjeb. In his view, some people were refused visas by the Turkish consular service up to 20 times. Fathers and grandfathers insisted that a steering committee be set up in Bulgaria to reunite separated families, similar to a Turkish committee.
"There are prospects for big business between Bulgaria and Tatarstan," Tatarstan's Prime Minister Farid Muhametshin says in an interview in "Zemya". Muhametshin praised the documents signed during his visit to Bulgaria from June 6 to 9, and said there are bright prospects for bilateral relations.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - A delegation of the ruling parliamentary coalition Alliance for Macedonia arrived today on what is the first visit of a Macedonian parliamentary delegation to Bulgaria. The delegation is led by Mr Tito Petkovski, Deputy Chairman of the Macedonian Parliament, Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia and floor leader of its parliamentary group. The delegation includes representatives of Macedonia's Liberal Party and its Socialist Party. The delegation was received by President Zhelyu Zhelev, who expressed hope that the relations between the two states will progress at all possible levels: presidential, parliamentary and governmental, President's Foreign Policy Advisor Kamen Velichkov told reporters. Mr Zhelev pointed out the need to activate the Bulgarian-Macedonian economic cooperation through intensification of the contacts between the respective departments. On the agenda were also concrete projects, like the transport corridor East- West, the communication links, etc. Mr Petkovski appreciated Bulgaria's contribution for Macedonia's international recognition, as well as its support to Macedonia in difficult moments, Kamen Velichkov said.
The relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia are vital for the creation of a favourable communications climate on the Balkans, President Zhelev and Tito Petkovski found out. Information and evaluations about the current situation in the Balkans were exchanged at a meeting with Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Zhan Videnov. The two sides emphasized that the controversial issues and the critical situations in the region should be settled through negotiations and in the interest of peace, security and understanding between all Balkan nations. Particular attention was rendered to the current state and the prospects for promotion of the relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. The two sides found out that there is common willingness and real prospects for their intensification and expansion. Earlier in the day the delegation of Macedonian MPs had a meeting with the Chairman of the Bulgarian National Assembly Blagovest Sendov. Mr Sendov said that CE Parliamentary Assembly Chairman Miguel Martinez stated that he will insist for granting Macedonia full membership in the Council of Europe as long as he is the CE's chairman.
"Macedonia holds good chances of joining the CE. There are no obstacles to the promotion of the relations between the nations of Bulgaria and Macedonia. Macedonia will rely on Bulgaria's support for its joining the Council of Europe and the people of Macedonia are grateful to Bulgaria because it was the first country to recognize it," Mr Petkovski said. "We shall strive to identify the issues of common interest, without disregarding and keeping silent about the differences," Georgi Purvanov MP said after the meeting of the Macedonian delegation with the leadership of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Left. In his view, possibilities for boosting contacts will be sought mainly in the economic and in the cultural fields. "There dividing issues between the two states are few and many more are those which bring them together," Mr Petkovski said. Mr Purvanov met with Petkovski in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. The visit of the Macedonian delegation is at the invitation of the floor leader of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Left Krasimir Premianov.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - There is a number of overseas construction projects in the 1995 schedule of the General Administration of the Construction Troops (GACT). Marking its 75th anniversary this year, the GACT is Bulgaria's only powerful state-run construction organization. It works both on domestic and overseas projects. The GACT has created two-thirds of this country's infrastructure, said GACT chief General Radoslav Peshleevski. It has worked in the most of the construction projects launched in the past decades. Its builders are credited for some of the major achievements in construction: the biggest bridge in the Balkans (the Rousse- Giurgiu one across the Danube), the longest tunnels in the Balkans (Koznitsa and Gulubets), the biggest wheat mill in Bulgaria, the Oryahovo-Bechet state-of-the-art ferry service. There is now another item added to the list: a unique bridge in Africa. Stretching across the Limpopo River between South Africa with Zimbabwe, it has a capacity of 10 pedestrians and 2,000 automobiles. Its pre- schedule completion was followed by contracts for more construction projects. They will be launched under accords signed during an early June visit to South Africa by a Bulgarian delegation led by Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski.
Furthermore, South Africa's Defence Ministry has studies opportunities to have its staff trained at the Lyuben Karavelov Higher Military Construction School and other schools in Bulgaria. A month earlier Zimbabwean Vice President Joshua Nkomo signed with the Bulgarian side a memorandum on more construction undertakings, including a hoteliery facility, motorways, a 400-km water supply system at the Zambezi River, water mains, a bus station in Harare and repair of 200 km of motorways. The construction of bridges, railway roads and tunnels in Swaziland and the construction of the transport infrastructure in Mozambique are at a feasibility study stage. The GACT this year will continue to work under a project for construction of housing developments in Russia and Ukraine. They will also launch an extensive construction programme in Bulgaria. A major obstacle for accomplishing these plans is the serious indebtedness to the CT with its receivables amounting to 350 million leva. The Sofia Municipality alone owes 90 million leva. Industry, however, remains the main debtor and it still owes 120 million leva for construction and repair of industrial facilities.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation Kiril Tsochev had a meeting with World Bank Resident Representative in Bulgaria John Wilton, the Government's press office said. The two officials discussed issues, concerning Bulgaria's payments on the loans for its energy industry, granted by the World Bank. The World Bank insisted that energy price be raised up to 2.6 cents by September 1, 1995 and to 3.5 cents by September 1, 1996. Mr Wilton warned that unless the World Bank's recommendations are fulfilled, Bulgaria risks facing a situation in which its loans to that sector may be suspended. Kiril Tsochev said that Bulgaria is preparing complete estimates for its energy expenses, which will underline the country's energy policy and with which Bulgaria will familiarize the World Bank in due time. According to the news release, Bulgaria agrees with the World Bank recommendations, but does not consider them mandatory.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - Most dailies write that the central bank is expected to reduce the base interest rate by 4% to 6% this week. The base interest rate has been reduced several times since April by a total of 18% down to 54%. Decisions to that effect were invariable prompted by the low inflation rate. Inflation in May was 1.9%, adding up to a total of 14.6% in January - May.
Balkan Airlines, Aeroflot and Rolls Royce are launching trilateral negotiations for delivery of Russian- made TU-204 with Rolls Poyce engines, "24 Chassa" writes. Experts of the Bulgarian Transport Ministry say the high price of the engines might turn out to be a problem. The Transport Ministry proposed that the cabinet make it obligatory for civil servants to use only the services of Balkan Airlines during business trips as a way to financiallny boost the national aircarrier.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is ready to invest in the privatization of the Sunny Beach resort on the Black Sea, "24 Chassa" says citing CEO Stoyan Marinov. EBRD financing will be provided upon submission of investment-protection projects. A mission of seven regional EBRD directors recently studies investment opportunities in the Neftochim oil refinery and the Black Sea resorts of Sunny Beach and Nessebur.
Six Bulgarian plants exported their products to Mexico in 1994, "24 Chassa" writes. Metal-working equipment traded best of all Bulgarian-made products.
The National Electricity Company is facing a possible financial collapse because of inability to meet its operational costs, writes "Continent". The daily recalls that the NEC in 1994 posted record-high 4,000 million leva losses. The company's liabilities in late April amounted to 1,600 million leva. The repair campaign is behind schedule and electricity rationing is quite possible unless urgent measures are taken, NEC Executive Director Trifon Tsvetkov tells "Continent".
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - Kiril Tsochev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation, had a meeting with a German governmental delegation, headed by Walter Kittel, consultancy aid commissioner for Eastern Europe of the German Government. Walter Kittel said that Germany's Government would grant DM 18 million as aid to Bulgaria which would be used to provide consulting and encourage different areas. The breakdown of the amount is as follows: one-third for consulting services to enterprises and the training of personnel for small and medium-size businesses; 12 percent for labour and social insurance; 11 percent for agriculture; and DM 2.5 million for the German foundations working in cooperation with Bulgarian institutions. Kittel noted that unlike 1993 when he visited Bulgaria with a similar mission, now there are conditions and interest in expanding cooperation under the programme for consultancy aid to Eastern Europe. The Bulgarian and the German sides expressed their assurance that the implementation of the consultancy aid programmes would contribute to the advancement of relations between the two countries and would help increase trade between them. In 1994 Bulgarian-German trade added up to almost 180 million US dollars.
Sofia, June 12 (BTA) - By order of Interior Minister Lyubomir Nachev, Colonel Yordan Kovachev was appointed Director of the Sofia Directorate of the Interior. Until now Colonel Kovachev headed the Police Force Department with the Directorate.
Naval officers on active duty and of the reserve had a meeting with 74-year-old Marshal Viktor Kulikov in the Black Sea city of Varna today. Marshal Kulikov is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of the Union of Commissioned and Non-commissioned Officers and the Atlantic Club. The guest expounded his views on current political and military problems, the local correspondent of BTA reported from Varna.
On the night of June 9 to June 10 the officers of the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint (on the Bulgarian-Turkish border) prevented the smuggling of two children to Turkey by truck. The driver of the Turkish-registered truck was arrested. The children were returned to their families living in the district of Razgrad (Northeastern Bulgaria). Another attempt at smuggling ten children from the district of Kurdjali (Southern Bulgaria) to Turkey via the same checkpoint was prevented on the night before.
A three-day seminar, opened in the Black Sea resort of Sveti Konstantin near Varna today, is discussing the problem of disabled persons' social integration. It is organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the National Rehabilitation Centre. Two guests from Belgium, representing the Flemish National federation of Disabled persons, spoke about Belgia's tradition and its institutions and organizations operating in this area.
A scientific seminar on "The Medieval Bulgarian Town: Techology" took place at the National Museum of Archaeology today. It was organized by the National Museum of History and the Open Society Foundation. The idea was launched by the Open Society Foundation which financed the seminar. It was a continuation of "The Bulgarian Medieval Town: Technology" Exhibition opened at the National Museum of History on March 3 this year. The exhibition gave a start to the programme of the Soros Art Centre established with the Open Society.
An appeal, issued by the presidents of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in the Bulgarian Army and of the Otbrana (Defence) National Trade Union, calls for joining the national rallies and protest actions organized by the two major trade union amalgamations in Bulgaria - the Confederation of Independent Trade Unioons in Bulgaria and the Podkrepa Labour Confederation.
Today four monarchist organizations, which ran in the December 1994 parliamentary elections, signed a declaration calling for the unification of all royalists in Bulgaria.
Royalist representatives had a meeting in Plovdiv (the second biggest city, Southern Bulgaria) and reached an agreement on the monarchist organizations dissolving themselves to establish a sole constitutional party, Nikolai Bouchkov, chairman of the initiative committee, told BTA. The constitutional party should become the political image of the national movement for crowned democracy in Bulgaria, BTA was told. It will not be a monarchist party but a movement whose aim is to turn Bulgaria into a modern crowned democracy, the founders stated.
A new international port was opened at Tsarevo (on the southern Black Sea coast). At present the port has two berths for vessels of up to 1,000 gross register tons. It is equipped with modern facilities and a checkppoint of its own. The port will service mainly passenger and toursit vessels but cargo boats will also be handled.
An appeal to the intellectuals of the Balkan countries was approved at this evening's meeting of representatives of the Bulgarian Committee for Understanding and Cooperation in the Balkans, the National Association for Peace and Solidarity and the societies for friendship with with Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. "The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands like a stone wall separating our peoples and hindering their free political, economic and cultural cooperation," it is said in the appeal. The participants in the meeting called on their followers to join their efforts and use their authority and influence before the governments of their countries, inviting them to launch a joint initiative for the peaceful settlement of the Bosnian conflict.
Prime Minister Zhan Videnov received Yoshihiro Djibiki, the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria. The PM informed the Japanese Ambassador that the Bulgarian public highly appreciated the relations between the two countries and their development in different areas. In this connection Zhan Videnov pointed out that Bulgaria attaches primary importance to its relations with Japan. Ambassador Djibiki said that the friendly relations between the two countries will continue to develop. He prioritized the promotion of technical and economic cooperation, especially the transfer of technologies and energy efficiency.
Prime Minister Zhan Videnov received the newly appointed Ambassador of India to Bulgaria, Nurinam Sen, the Government Press Office said. The sides stressed their interest in the restoration of traditional ties and the advancement of economic relations. PM Videnov and Ambassador Sen shared the opinion that it is necessary to exchange high-level visits; the sides agreed that it is time for the joint Bulgarian-Indian committee on economic cooperation to hold a meeting.