Bulgaria Should Improve Its Image in Front of EU

"Bulgaria should deal more actively with two major issues in the context of the last EC monitoring report", British Ambassador Jeremy Hill said during a business luncheon with BBLF Managing Board members. "First is to work towards overcoming the weaknesses pointed by the EC in the fields of judiciary, fight against corruption and improvement of the legal framework and, second, to improve Bulgaria's image in front of the European community", he explained.

According to BBLF Chairperson, Maxim Behar the delay of the EU accession will have quite a negative impact on the country because people will get demotivated and the political situation will become more complicated.

"For Bulgaria it will be easier to reform its judiciary and political system as a member of the EU, not in the corridor. The changes will be faster and more efficient when performed in the frames of the European community and not outside" he said.

Anthony Hassiotis, CEO of Postbank, added that the negative effect should be considered on current and possible investors in case the EU accession is postponed.

The other board members agreed that the Bulgarian society is able to change its attitudes step by step once people feel European citizens. The majority of Bulgarians would like their country to become an EU member in the beginning of 2007.