October 8, 2008
National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski received on October 8, 2008 the head of the Chamber of Representatives of the Czech Parliament Miloslav Valcek. Mr. Valcek is heading a parliamentary delegation, paying an official visit to Bulgaria.
During the talks, the guest praised the relations between the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and pointed to the unexplored opportunities for further cooperation, particularly in the economic field. He noticed that Czech tourists are restoring the tradition of vacationing at Bulgaria. He emphasized the fact that Bulgaria has been able to successfully implement reforms in the last years, something observed by every member country in the European Union.
He mentioned the need to strengthen the cooperation between the national parliaments, taking into consideration the guidelines set by the Lisbon Treaty. In his view, the work on defining the mechanisms of such cooperation should start without delay.
Mr. Valcek further noticed that the Czech Presidency of the European Union, which is to start at the beginning of next year, will be focused around the motto “Europe without barriers”. He added that among the other priorities, during the Czech Presidency, would be energy, agriculture and transport issues.
On his behalf, Chairman Pirinski said that at present, both parliaments have similar agendas. He mentioned that the Bulgarian Assembly is currently very involved to work with its European partners, aiming at overcoming the challenges before the country and said the assembly has a very busy schedule to adopt a number of important laws in this respect.
Mr. Pirinski said that Bulgaria aspires to be an active member of the EU and to contribute her own share into its development and consolidation. He agreed with his counterpart that the Lisbon Treaty requires national parliaments to maintain constant and active contacts.
Georgi Pirinski underlined that the parliaments of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic must assist the trade and economic development between the two countries. He said that notwithstanding the dynamic commercial trends of development, joint efforts should be made to overcome the existing current unbalance. In his words, although the cultural and educational exchange presently is very intensive, there is still potential for development.
In his statement for media representatives, Georgi Pirinski stressed that the official visit of the Czech parliamentary delegation is a continuation of the ongoing dialogue between the parliaments of the two countries and emphasized its importance in the light of the new responsibilities given to national parliaments in connection with the principle of subsidiarity in the EU.
Mr. Pirinski further added that both sides agreed that the motto of the Czech Presidency “Europe without barriers” means that there would be even more impetus given to the cooperation in such crucial areas as energy, transport, environment and further enlargement of the European Union. Referring to the bilateral relations, he pointed that during the talks, the two parties have recalled the existing rich tradition in the relations between the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and that there were all grounds for these relations to be further developed, broaden and drawn to a new level, especially in the fields of trade and investments as well as in all other social and cultural spheres of life.

On his behalf, the President of the Czech Chamber of Representatives Miloslav Valcek, noted that the two countries should reiterate their traditionally good parliamentary relations and further develop the contacts between the cities and regions and between business representatives in their respective countries. He mentioned the existing investment opportunities in the fields of environment, agriculture and foods.
Mr. Valcek acquainted his hosts with the measures taken by his country to counter the consequences of the global financial crisis. He said that their Finance Minister has introduced in the lower chamber of parliament a bill aiming at guaranteeing the bank deposits of Czech citizens from the current 25 thousand Euros to up to 50 thousand. He also mentioned that the Czech banks are stable and won’t be affected by the financial crisis.



















































Mr. Pirinski further added that both sides agreed that the motto of the Czech Presidency “Europe without barriers” means that there would be even more impetus given to the cooperation in such crucial areas as energy, transport, environment and further enlargement of the European Union. Referring to the bilateral relations, he pointed that during the talks, the two parties have recalled the existing rich tradition in the relations between the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and that there were all grounds for these relations to be further developed, broaden and drawn to a new level, especially in the fields of trade and investments as well as in all other social and cultural spheres of life.

On his behalf, the President of the Czech Chamber of Representatives Miloslav Valcek, noted that the two countries should reiterate their traditionally good parliamentary relations and further develop the contacts between the cities and regions and between business representatives in their respective countries. He mentioned the existing investment opportunities in the fields of environment, agriculture and foods.
Mr. Valcek acquainted his host with the measures taken by his country to counter the consequences of the world financial crisis. He said that their Finance Minister has introduced in the lower chamber of parliament a bill for guaranteeing the bank deposits of Czech citizens from the current 25 thousand Euros to up to 50 thousand Euros. He also mentioned that the Czech banks are stable and won’t be affected by the financial crisis.

Mr. Pirinski further added that both sides agreed that the motto of the Czech Presidency “Europe without barriers” means that there would be even more impetus given to the cooperation in such crucial areas as energy, transport, environment and further enlargement of the European Union. Referring to the bilateral relations, he pointed that during the talks, the two parties have recalled the existing rich tradition in the relations between the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and that there were all grounds for these relations to be further developed, broaden and drawn to a new level, especially in the fields of trade and investments as well as in all other social and cultural spheres of life.

On his behalf, the President of the Czech Chamber of Representatives Miloslav Valcek, noted that the two countries should reiterate their traditionally good parliamentary relations and further develop the contacts between the cities and regions and between business representatives in their respective countries. He mentioned the existing investment opportunities in the fields of environment, agriculture and foods.
Mr. Valcek acquainted his hosts with the measures taken by his country to counter the consequences of the world financial crisis. He said that their Finance Minister has introduced in the lower chamber of parliament a bill aiming at guaranteeing the bank deposits of Czech citizens from the current 25 thousand Euros to up to 50 thousand. He also mentioned that the Czech banks are stable and won’t be affected by the financial crisis.