"We have no illusions that the European Commission's report on Bulgaria will be critical, but I hope that it will reflect the positive trends and will be encouraging in respect to the intentions and the actions of the government." President Georgi Purvanov made this statement at a briefing following the talks within the traditional informal meeting with the ambassadors of the EU member and applicant countries on Friday. This year the meeting is in Kurdjali (Southern Bulgaria).

Purvanov noted that at this point the conclusions on the forthcoming report are contradictory, but at this point the good news is that the ambition of the government and the institutions to achieve a radical change in the fulfillment of requirements and the additional notes of the mechanism of cooperation and evaluation are considered according to merit. This refers to the legislative amendments undertaken in respect to duty free trade, in the sphere of justice and home affairs, of the conflict of interest and others, both prepared and implemented, the head of state underscored. He called for the report to evaluate the trend, the processes developing in institutions, in the Bulgarian state and society.

Purvanov, however, stressed that there are still things to be desired and this country has work to do over the intervening weeks in which the report and the evaluation of Bulgaria's progress will have to be finally prepared.

"Brussels has no faith in tears, it has no sentiment," the President said, taking a question whether this country will rely on friendly feelings on the part of European partners in the process of drawing up the report. "We cannot rely on that someone will disregard the concrete requirements and will consequently write down an evaluation of Bulgaria that deviates from actual facts, i.e. we have to do our job," Purvanov said.

At the meeting, the President drew attention to concrete practical measures that have been undertaken - the entire legislative base for the Interior Ministry has been changed, there is a new Supreme Judicial Council, competitions have been held in the most transparent way possible, there is an acting inspectorate and consistent monitoring of the application of laws.

Taking a question about the EC report, Purvanov said this week is crucial as there are additional questions received even today which the government will answer.

Bulgaria's active participation in the debate on the entire EU agenda was underscored at the meeting, as well as the preparation and the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon, this country's contribution to the debate on the expansion of the Union and the European prospects of West Balkan countries.

Bulgaria's participation in the European debate on the energy strategy and the implementation of the EU objectives in this sphere. Purvanov presented the Bulagrian position that the two projects - the South Stream oil pipeline and Nabucco gas pipeline - have their place in the European energy strategy and noted the protocol of intent signed between Bulgaria's Ministry of Economy and Energy and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Industry and Energy in respect to the delivery of 1,000 million cubic metres of natural gas, which is Bulgaria's contribution to the development of Nabucco.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin also participated in the meeting, BTA reported.