SOFIA IS EU'S WATCH-TOWER FOR THE BALKANS

The European Union will watch out for the Balkans from Sofia. Bulgaria can be entrusted with the role of a coordinator at the future accession of its neighbouring countries to the Union. These were the topics discussed by Bulgaria's President, Georgi Parvanov and EU President, Herman van Rompuy. "By 2020 the Balkan countries will be members of the EU," Parvanov explained and added that for this reason the relations with them will take a central place in the new strategy for EU development. Both agreed that Bulgaria would present the concepts on its role on the Balkans in a written document. "We will present it in a week or two," Parvanov promised. He expressed hope that this document would not be a project by the President's team only but it would involve the Bulgarian Government as well.

Earlier that day Bulgarian Head of State had a one-to-one talk with the Chairman of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek. Reportedly they discussed the new role of the Parliament after the Lisbon Treaty came in force. Parvanov and Buzek outlined measures for combating the crisis. "It is essential that after the crisis Europe will be stronger and the distance between the developed and new EU members will be shorter," Parvanov said.

According to Parvanov, Bulgaria can be supported by the EP for the compensations of 300 million euro for the decommissioning of Kozloduy NPP. Parvanov reminded that Buzek would visit Bulgaria for the Bulgarian National Holiday - March 3rd.

Within his working visit to Brussels the Bulgarian President talked with the leaders of the main forces in the European Parliament ? the Liberal Guy Verhofstadt, the Chairman of the European People's Party - Joseph Daul and the Socialist Martin Schulz.