On 11 June 2003, Wednesday, the President of the National Assembly Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov met the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy His Excellency Mr. Gian B. Campagnola.

In the course of the meeting was discussed the future six-month Italian presidency of the European Union which will commence on 1 July 2003.

The Italian presidency will be committed to keep the agreed period for the accession of Bulgaria to the EU, the Ambassador Campagnola assured. His Excellency said he believes that the accession negotiations will start in 2004 for Bulgaria to be a part of the big European Family in 2007.

Bulgaria particularly relies on Italian support, Prof. Gerdjikov stated. The Italian presidency will give courage and hope, so our country will keep going at a good pace and, I hope, the remaining six negotiation chapters will be closed to the middle of 2004 at the latest, the President of the National Assembly added.

Finally, Ambassador Campagnola expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Italy has become Number One investor in Bulgaria.