Bulgaria has become successfully integrated into the EU, according to the participants in Wednesday's meeting between Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and the ambassadors of the EU Member States, hosted by the Portuguese Ambassador, BTA reports.

"We are nearing the end of the first year of Bulgaria's EU membership, and we heard opinions about the economic, social and political situation at the meeting," Stanishev said. He noted that the economy was making good progress and Bulgaria was among the high-growth countries.

Stanishev said Bulgaria had gained a worthy place in the EU with a constructive position in favor of a stronger EU. He informed the ambassadors about the government's and the ruling
coalition's priorities for the next stage of the term in office. These priorities include a more competitive economy, accelerated income growth, implementation of infrastructure projects and modernization of key sectors, including public administration, education and health care.

The participants discussed the situation in the region. Stanishev said Bulgaria was aware of its responsibility in the region, whose stability is facing serious challenges, above all in the Western Balkans, in view of the upcoming completion of the Kosovo status talks.

Stanishev emphasized that Bulgaria relies on solidarity and on the drawing up of a common EU position on all important matters. He also said that being in the immediate proximity of the Western Balkans, Bulgaria would be the hardest hit in case of a negative development, as was the case with the sanctions against former Yugoslavia.

"We all talk about Europe's role in the world but no one will understand the EU if it fails to guarantee stability, democracy, economic development and European prospects for its immediate neighbors, the Western Balkans," the Prime Minister said.

Answering a journalist's question, Stanishev stressed that he had expressly asked that a requirement for professional leadership be enshrined in the State Agency for National Security Bill. It is designed as a state agency, not as a political one, which will work for the Bulgarian State, he said. Stanishev called this requirement "an important political signal". In his view, clear, regular control of the Agency by Parliament and good coordination between the Agency and the other institutions should be guaranteed.