November 18 in History.
Standartnews
In 1938 by a King's decree a School for Training Labour-conscription Officers was set up. Now it is the Higher Military Engineer School "Lyuben Karavelov".
TRANSBORDER COOPERATION.
BTA
Sofia, November 18 (BTA) - A two-day seminar on Bulgarian-Macedonia transborder cooperation opened Monday in Blagoevgrad (Southwestern Bulgaria), the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry reported.
The experts will discuss the opportunities for cooperation and the role of the local authorities in the region's economic development, focusing on joint projects in environment protection, and the management of water, land resources and cultural and historical heritage.
The seminar is organized by the Council of Europe and the National Centre for Territorial Development. It marks the final stage of a Stability Pact project on the promotion of the central authorities' open attitude to transborder cooperation issues. Participating in the seminar are experts from Bulgarian and Macedonian central, regional and local authorities, guests from Serbia, and people from the Council of Europe and international organizations.
BULGARIA-EU-ENERGY.
Foreign Minister Solomon Passy: "If We Fail to Achieve a Peer Review for the Kozloduy N-plant We Will Not Close Energy Chapter."
Sofia, November 18 (BTA) - "If we fail to achieve a peer review for the Kozloduy N-plant we will not close the Energy Chapter," Foreign Minister Solomon Passy said upon his departure for Brussels Monday morning.
In Brussels Passy will attend the Eighth EU-Bulgaria Association Council Meeting to discuss the Energy Chapter.
Passy said it is his firm intention to lead the negotiations to a successful end and achieve an approval for a peer review of generating units three and four of the Kozloduy N-plant. "Before becoming final every commitment undertaken by Bulgaria has to be approved by Parliament," Passy said in response to a question.
The Eighth Bulgaria-EU Association Council Meeting at ministerial level will review the implementation of Bulgaria's Association Agreement and discuss the progress of negotiations and Bulgaria's preparations for joining the EU.
Within the framework of his visit to the Belgian capital Passy will also attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU member and applicant countries.
Passy is scheduled to meet Regional Policies Commissioner Michel Barnier and External Relations Commissioner Christopher Patten.
From Brussels the Bulgarian Foreign Minister will leave for Prague for the NATO Annual Summit on November 21 and 22.
EU-PASSY-BULGARIA.
BTA
Bulgaria Provisionally Closes Energy Chapter of Acquis, EU States Agree to Make Peer Review of Kozloduy.
Brussels, November 18 (BTA) - At a meeting of the EU-Bulgaria Association Council at ministerial level Monday Bulgaria provisionally closed the energy chapter of the Acquis in line with the 1999 memorandum, the Council of Minister's decision as of September 2002 and the National Assembly decision as of October 2002, the Foreign Ministry's Information and PR Directorate said.
The 15 EU member-countries agreed to send experts for a peer review of the level of safety of units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The review should be made before the final completion of the EU accession talks.
The Bulgarian delegation to the Eighth Meeting of the EU-Bulgaria Association Council was headed by Foreign Minister Solomon Passy. The meeting is held in the eve of the European Council summit in Copenhagen (December 12-13) that is crucial for Bulgaria.
The final stage of the talks on the energy chapter lasted more than 12 months. The Bulgarian side negotiated the conditions for the integration of the Bulgarian energy market into the EU internal energy market. Special attention was paid to the establishment of a national oil reserve in line with the EU legislation. The Bulgarian side negotiated a six-year grace period as of the membership date, January 1, 2007, to build this reserve.
Nuclear energy, too, featured high on the agenda of talks. In this department Bulgaria insists to be treated on an equal footing with the other applicants, reads the press release.
The Foreign Ministry notes that with the provisional closure of the Energy Chapter the Bulgaria-EU talks will enter a new stage.
Bulgaria has already closed provisionally 23 chapters out of 30 chapters of the Acquis.
In October the Council of Europe gave Bulgaria the first positive indication regarding the country's wish to join the EU on January1, 2007. "We expect that this indication will be confirmed by the European Council summit in Copenhagen in December," the Foreign Ministry writes.
The country also hopes to get from the Copenhagen summit a roadmap for the membership talks aimed at accession no later than January 1, 2007.
Nuclear Energy Regulation Agency Chief Emil Vapirev would not comment on the provisional closure of the energy chapter at this stage given there is still no information on the agreed dates for the closure of the small reactors.
Earlier in the day Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev said that there are grounds to demand a no-confidence vote in the government due to its position at the closure of the energy chapter not being complied with Bulgaria's economic and public interests and violating the constitutional balance between the institutions: National Assembly and Government. He specified that the no-confidence vote motion will be submitted following a complex assessment and did not rule out the possibility to do this together with the right-of-centre oppositional Union of Democratic Forces as their positions
coincide.
WESLEY CLARK-BUSINESSMEN.
General Wesley Clark: Bulgaria Is Part of the West and Has Strong Future.
Sofia, November 18 (BTA) - Bulgaria is part of the West and has a strong future, General Wesley K. Clark (Ret.), former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said emerging from a working breakfast with businessmen at the Sheraton Sofia Hotel. General Clark is in Bulgaria for the press-launch of the Bulgarian translation of his memoirs "Waging Modern War."
The successful cabinets have shown that they can develop Bulgaria politically and economically. One way to strengthen Bulgaria is to make it part of NATO, General Clark said in response to a question about the upcoming NATO Summit in Prague. According to him, every member of the Alliance is important as in the modern world no country can defend itself on its own. General Clark said he hoped Bulgaria would not be faced with any challenges but if it is it will need strong allies. Taking a question, General Clark said that Bulgaria should continue with the reform in its armed forces and legislation and its progress to Western standards.
Asked about Iraq, General Clark said that the choice is in the hands of Saddam Hussein. There will be no war if he implements the Resolution of the UN Security Council. Otherwise there will be a war or a possible revolution for his ousting, General Clark said.
In response to a question about possible Bulgarian involvement in Iraq, General Clark said that along with many other countries Bulgaria will be given a chance to assist in the enforcement of international law.
General Clarke said he would encourage Bulgaria if it is given a chance to join the other countries. Asked whether there are problems like corruption to be solved in the process of ratification of Bulgaria's membership in NATO, General Clark said corruption is a problem that exists everywhere in the world and expressed his belief that Bulgaria will be able to build a judicial system guaranteeing fair business competition and attracting foreign investment.
FOURLATERAL MEETING-CHIEFS OF GENERAL STAFF.
BTA
Sofia, November 18 (BTA) - The Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army - General Nikola Kolev, is in Bucharest for the Second Fourlateral Meeting of the Chiefs of the General Staffs of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey which opens on Monday, the press office of the Ministry of Defence said.
The meeting will analyse the progress of military reform and the preparation of the delegations of Bulgaria and Romania in the pre-accession period. It will also discuss issues related to enhancing interoperability of the armies and strengthening confidence, security and stability in South-East Europe in the face of the new threats to security, the press release says.
The meeting is held on the initiative of the defence and foreign ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey.
Giant Videowall Erected for NATO.
Standartnews
On November 22, all state institutions over the country will hang the national flag as Bulgaria is expected to be extended an invitation to join NATO. The national flag is to be raised on the buildings of the companies, schools and municipalities. A TV bridge is to connect Kardjali with Prague on the eve of the Prague summit. A giant videowall will be erected in the central square there. Foreign Minister Passy is to personally greet the residents of Kardjali as the greatest NATO fans in Bulgaria.
BG to Make Spare Parts for BMW.
Standartnews
We have discussed the investment possibilities of automobile giant BMW in Bulgaria, said Finance Minister Milen Velthcev on his comeback from Germany yesterday. In Berlin Veltchev met the top managers of the German concern. BMW showed interest in engaging BG firms in spare parts manufacture. Veltchev, however, specified that at this stage they have not discussed the possibility of assembling BMWs in Bulgaria.
Resorts Full for New Year.
Standartnews
The deluxe hotels in Borovets and Pamporovo are booked out for the New Year's Eve. There are still some free rooms in the elite resorts at the seaside. In Albena there'll be a fancy-dress ball. In Bansko they will meet the New Year with roast suckling pigs.
