The first Bulgarian and Romanian MEPs were welcomed at a solemn ceremony at the European Parliament on 15 January 2007

At the start of the January session of the European Parliament, the first Bulgarian and Romanian MEPs were welcomed at a solemn ceremony at the European Parliament on 15 January 2007 in Strasbourg.

The flags of the two countries were hoisted while the "Ode to Joy", the anthem of United Europe, was played. European Parliament President Josep Borrell welcomed each of the new Members from Bulgaria and Romania.

On the occasion of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, the European Parliament also organized a photo exhibition.

National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski and his Romanian counterparts, President of the Chamber of Deputies Bogdan Olteanu and President of the Senate Nicolae Vacaroiu, were guests at the European Parliament's session on 15 January 2007 in Strasbourg.

In Strasbourg National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski conferred with European Parliament President Josep Borrell, as well as with the new President of the European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis.

The case of the Bulgarian medical nurses and the Palestinian doctor facing a death sentence in Libya was the main topic during Pirinski's meetings with Costa and Davis.

National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski also met European Energy Forum Director General Jean-Claude Charrault and President Giles Chichester. Later in the day, he conferred with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg.