News from Bulgaria / Nov. 21, 95

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

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Directory

EMBASSY OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.

BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY

BULLETIN OF NEWS FROM BULGARIA

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IN SOFIA

Sofia, November 20 (BTA) - Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos today arrived on a three-day official visit to Bulgaria. The Greek delegation includes Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias. "I arrive in Bulgaria with sincere friendly feelings to President Zhelev and the Bulgarian people. I believe the visit will not only demonstrate the warm relations between the two peoples but will also bring us closer," President Stephanopoulos told reporters at Sofia Airport. He expressed certainty that after the talks this afternoon with his Bulgarian counterpart Zhelyu Zhelev he would have more to say about positive solutions to some issues. The official delegations will also hold talks this afternoon. On Tuesday the Greek President is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Zhan Videnov and visit the second largest Bulgarian city of Plovdiv (Southern Bulgaria). According to the preliminary programme of the visit, on Wednesday President Stephanopoulos will address the Bulgarian National Assembly and will be received by National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov and Bulgarian Patriarch Maksim. Presidents Stephanopoulos and Zhelev will give a joint press conference at the end of the visit.

[02] FIRST DAY OF SOFIA VISIT BY GREEK PRESIDENT

Sofia, November 20 (Evgeniya Droumeva of BTA) - The common denominator of the talks with President Stephanopoulos was a will for cooperation, both on a bilateral basis, and in the framework of European structures, Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev told reporters after his meeting today with Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos. The relations between the two countries are very warm. Greece and Bulgaria are willing to promote cooperation, expanding it to new fields, President Stephanopoulos said. The Greek Head of State arrived on a three-day official visit here today. In the afternoon, the Presidents held talks in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Greece Karolos Papoulias and Bulgaria Georgi Pirinski. Negotiations between the official delegations took place a little later. According to the Bulgarian President, the sides expressed willingness to sign agreements on the repatriation of illegal aliens, seasonal workers, and cooperation in economy, trade and finance, and to open several border checkpoints, linking the last issue to the use of the waters of the River Mesta. All these issues, mentioned by President Zhelev, result from warm cooperation between the two countries, rather than difficulties. Where there is cooperation, there are technical matters to be resolved, said the Greek President. He added he was totally convinced these details will be cleared up, as there is political will on both sides. Further on in his statement, Stephanopoulos voiced a hope the necessary steps in bilateral relations will be taken as soon as possible. Stephanopoulos expressed his sincere wish that relations like those between Greece and Bulgaria will become the norm in the region. According to President Zhelev, the talks touched upon the Yugocrisis and opportunities for Bulgaria and Greece to cooperate in the postwar reconstruction of former Yugoslavia, together and jointly with large Western companies. The settlement of the Yugowar will open up prospects to cooperation in the region's postwar reconstruction, the Greek President agreed. Bulgaria received assurances of Greek support for its integration into European and Euroatlantic structures, Zhelev said.

[03] BULGARIA AND SOUTH AFRICA SIGN COOPERATION

Sofia, November 20 (BTA) - Today Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Hristov and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa, Azis Bahad, who started a visit here yesterday, signed an agreement on cooperation in education, culture, science and sport. "The two countries have a huge potential for promoting bilateral relations," Bahad told journalists after the signing of the agreement. This is the first visit by a South African after this country's incumbent government stepped in office. "The two countries share a political will - identified at top level for signing a number of bilateral agreements. There is an extremely favourable climate for this," Ivan Hristov said. For nearly an hour and a half, the Bulgarian and South African Deputy Foreign Ministers discussed the prospects for strengthening bilateral relations. The two countries have started preparation for building the legal groundwork of bilateral relations. Bulgarian and South African experts are drafting an intergovernmental treaty of friendship and cooperation, a commercial agreement, agreements on the encouragement and reciprocal protection of investments and on avoidance of double taxation, agreement on man power exchange, agreements on legal assistance in criminal and civil matters and on extradition. Cooperation in commerce, transport and tourism has also figured on the agenda. Bulgaria extended invitations to South African President Nelson Mandela and South African Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo to visit Bulgaria, and the two are expected here next week. Invitations were also extended to the South African Ministers of Defence and Education. Later today the South African Deputy Foreign Minister was received by Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski and Kiril Tsochev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation. Azis Bahad and Kiril Tsochev agreed that in spite of the tangible increase in percents, the current bilateral trade levels are way below the two countries' capacity. The two considered specific opportunities for expanding trade relations. The meeting also discussed a visit to South Africa by Deputy Prime Minister Tsochev. A Bulgarian economic delegation is leaving for South Africa next week. It will include representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation and businessmen. At a joint news conference today, the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria and South Africa stressed the success of the visit. They said the two countries share a political will for active and dynamic development of relations. The guest said the sides would like to see the completion of preparation of a trade accord and agreements on avoidance of double taxation, on mutual protection and promotion of investment, and on tourism. He stressed Bulgaria's strategic situation in the Balkans and declared a desire on the part of South Africa for more deep-going political consultations covering a broader scope of political issues.

[04] UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER UDOVENKO

Sofia, November 20 (BTA) - Today Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadii Udovenko, who arrived on an official visit here yesterday, had high-level talks. Mr Udovenko is accompanied by the Ukrainian transport mister, and the deputy ministers of trade and foreign economic affairs and finance. In an hour-and-a-half meeting this morning the guest discussed with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Pirinski the current state of and prospects for Bulgarian-Ukrainian relations. The talks focused on the deepening of bilateral economic relations. "Udovenko's visit will give a powerful impetus for activating and deepening bilateral relations," Minister Pirinski said after the talks. "We discussed a wide range of issues. Not a single complicated problem was avoided," Minister Udovenko said. He said the sides discussed the Yamburg agreement and the settlement of Ukraine's debts to Bulgaria through gas deliveries. "It is important that Ukraine pledged to promptly settle issues connected with the regulation of reciprocal payments, more specifically of Ukraine's liabilities to Bulgaria," Minister Pirinski said. The sides agreed that an expert meeting be held by year's end to discuss Bulgaria's participation in the completion of the construction and operation of a plant for iron ore products. Bulgaria and Ukraine will also cooperate in the production of rolled aluminium. Ukraine will supply aluminium and probably electricity and Bulgaria will manufacture high quality rolled aluminium. The mixed commission for economic and technical cooperation is likely to hold a session in March-April 1996. The talks also considered infrastructure-related problems in a view of trans-European transport corridors. Pirinski said the sides agreed fully that Bulgaria and Ukraine, where six of the nine trans-European corridors pass, have both an interest in and opportunity for exchanging specific proposals and projects on infrastructure units, and can bring to the fore joint initiatives before working bodies of the Central European Initiative, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and all-European organizations. The sides agreed on the launch of a joint analysis of the composition and volume of bilateral trade with a view to identifying new capacities and resources and introducing new regimes: commercial and investment. This afternoon is expected to see the signing of a package of economic documents including a new agreement on trade and economic cooperation, agreements on avoidance of double taxation and on operation of the Varna-Ilichovsk, on the Black Sea, ferry line. Later today the Ukrainian Foreign Minister met National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov, President Zhelyu Zhelev and Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. Foreign Minister Udovenko and National Assembly Chairman Sendov discussed the latter's visit to Ukraine next week. The two reportedly discussed issues pertaining to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and Bulgaria's experience as European Union associate member, from which Ukraine can benefit. The guest reportedly thanked for Bulgaria's support for Ukraine's entry into the Council of Europe. Meeting the Ukrainian guest, President Zhelev congratulated Ukraine on its accession to the Council of Europe, which he said, will be a guarantee for a persistent tolerance to ethnic Bulgarians in Ukraine. The President's Foreign Policy Advisor said the President brought to the fore the teaching of Bulgarian language at the Bolgograd high school and the opening of a new Bulgarian Cultural-Information Centre in the Odessa district. Dr. Zhelev further hailed the fact that specific decisions have been taken on agreements reached during his visit to Kiev last year, and more specifically the agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and on the restoring of the Varna-Ilichovsk ferry service. The development of bilateral relations and opportunities for their promotion topped the agenda of the talks between the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The Bulgarian Cabinet Spokesman described the visit by Hennadii Udovenko as very important in a view of Bulgaria's efforts to restore its traditional commercial and business partners. Emphasis was reportedly placed on the transport links between the two countries and on providing normal conditions for transit of goods from Russia to Bulgaria. Hennadii Udovenko and Zhan Videnov also discussed the condition of Bulgarian minorities in Ukraine. Dwelling upon the problems facing the 250,000 Bulgarians in this country, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister guaranteed that all rights they enjoy are respected and observed.

[05] BULGARIA, UKRAINE TO INTENSIFY CONTACTS

The two foreign ministers signed a joint statement on infrastructure matters. They agreed that infrastructure in the region should develop in line with the European priorities. The two countries are crossed by six of the nine transport corridors approved at the 1994 Pan-European Transport Conference in Crete. The two foreign ministers also agreed that it would be useful to step up the exchange of information and contacts between countries of the Central European Initiative and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Council, including a meeting in Sofia in 1996. They stated their intention to consider a proposal for the setting up of an information centre with its head office in Sofia which would expedite the exchange of information and initiatives on infrastructure projects.

Besides the talks with Foreign Minister Pirinski, Udovenko's Sofia agenda included meetings with Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov and National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov.

Speaking before journalists at the end of the visit, the two countries' Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with its results.

During Udovenko's visit here the sides signed a package of economic agreements, including an accord on commercial and business cooperation, agreements on joint operation of the Varna-Ilichovsk Black Sea ferry service and on avoidance of double taxation, a protocol on bilateral trade in 1995-96, an agreement on cooperation between the two trade ministries and other documents.

The joint declaration underscores the two Foreign Ministers' conviction that the above documents will help further develop and activate bilateral relations, and particularly those on the commercial, business and financial fields.

The talks placed an emphasis on the introduction of new and more efficient forms of cooperation by using fully the potential of traditional contacts and markets. They identified a need for encouraging the launch of joint production, commercial and financial structures, for drawing up and implementing mutually beneficial investment programmes in a variety of spheres including the energy industry and infrastructure. The sides expressed a shared readiness for promoting contacts between small and medium-sized businesses.

Bulgaria expressed satisfaction with provisions in Ukrainian law for the preservation of the national identity and culture of ethnic Bulgarians living in Ukraine. The sides agreed to seek new ways to encourage the contacts of individuals and cultural ties. The sides supported the idea of setting up a Bulgarian Culture, Information and Business Contacts Centre in Bolgrad. They discussed the opportunity to set up information centres of Bulgaria in Ukraine and Ukraine in Bulgaria.

The sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The ministers stressed that the new architecture of European security can only be built on the basis of partnership and close coordination among countries and among European and Euroatlantic security structures. They stressed the importance of not allowing new dividing lines to appear in Europe, the joint declaration of the foreign ministers says.

The sides also discussed the war in former Yugoslavia. The ministers reiterated their support for a quick, fair and lasting peace settlement. They declared readiness to participate in the postwar reconstruction of the war-affected areas.

Ukraine supported a Bulgarian-sponsored resolution at the 50th Session of the UN General Assembly on the elimination of the negative effects of strict enforcement of the sanctions against former Yugoslavia. Bulgaria and Ukraine agreed to consider and, if necessary, jointly address the UN Security Council on the sanctions, the declaration says.

Special attention was focused on the international seminar on "The Role of Trans-European Infrastructure for Stability and Cooperation in the Black Sea Region," sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Ukraine hailed the Bulgarian idea for a 1996 meeting in Sofia of the countries of the Central European Initiative and Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

The sides reiterated their interest in promoting Black Sea economic cooperation, especially in the development and implementation of specific cooperation projects and the launch of a Black Sea trade and development bank.

The ministers agreed on the need to strictly observe the 1936 Montreux Convention on the Regime of Black Sea Straits and other international acts regulating navigation in the Black Sea straits.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski received an invitation to make an official visit to Ukraine.

[06] POLITICAL, CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN BULGARIA, JAPAN

[07] BUSINESS PRESS

The social reform started with the separation of the social security funds from the budget, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Mincho Koralski says in an interview in "Douma", prompted by last week's passage of the Social Security Fund Act.

"The reform can now start as the separation of the fund changed the philosophy of management and financing of the social security. The social security will be again managed by an independent institution which will be guided by all sides interested in the developments in the social insurance, namely, the state, the insurers and the insured," Koralski says.

An extraordinary plenary session of the floor leaders and MPs of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) will discuss the restructuring of the economic ministries, "Standart News" says.

Leading economists of the BSP allegedly insisted that privatization and state property management be included in one ministry. The Privatization Agency proved a failure while establishing of the new ministry is an elegant way to dispose of incumbent Minister of Economic Development Roumen Gechev, "Standart News" quotes BSP MPs as saying.

The Construction Corps are ready to build a second Bulgarian- Romanian bridge over the Danube, Chief of the General Administration of the Construction Corps General Radoslav Peshleevski says, interviewed by "24 Chassa".

"When I took over the Construction Corps two and a half years ago, the volume of construction was 1,200 million leva. Now, it is 3,000 million leva. Besides, in the past three years we started to build abroad. Only six per cent of our activities are overseas businesses," General Peshleevski says, responding to the allegations that the Construction Corps prefer to work abroad.

State and independent experts are unanimous that Sofia's new airport should be built on the site of the old one, "Pari" says in a front- page story. Experts reportedly said that this would avoid occupation of new land as the new airport will use the already built infrastructure: buildings, car parks, and roads.

[08] KOZLODOUI'S UNIT 2 SET INTO OPERATION

[09] WANO COMPLETES CHECK AT KOZLODOUI N-PLANT

[10] MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BULGARIA,GREECE, UKRAINE

Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - The press highlights the trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece and Ukraine late last night. "Three countries came to a common understanding on corridors," "24 Chassa" writes about yesterday's meeting at which the three Foreign Ministers agreed on the launch of joint action to step up the transport infrastructure projects in Eastern Europe. "Douma" quotes Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski as saying the trilateral meeting was the first step toward implementation of the protocol on infrastructure Bulgaria and Ukraine signed yesterday, and made Greece the first EU country informed about the initiative. INTELLECTUALS WRITE TO EXILED KING SIMEON II Dailies provide coverage of a letter to Bulgaria's exiled monarch Simeon II in Madrid by 101 Bulgarian intellectuals, including outstanding Bulgarian writers, musicians, singers, actors, artists and medics. The letter asks Simeon II to visit Bulgaria to join a discussion seeking a way out from the crisis. "Demokratsiya" writes a reply to the letter is expected in the coming few days. "The purpose of this initiative is unclear. First, you cannot get out of the crisis with proposals, be they royal. Second, Simeon would not come. If he wanted to, he could have done it in the past five years. And third, when shall we stop relying on external assistance, be it from the USSR, the US or HM," a commentary in "Troud" goes. In a commentary headlined "Despair?", "Continent" says that at no point does the letter mention about restoration of monarchy. "The invitation, however, comes at the launch of the presidential race that has actually already began," the author says.