November 24, 2008

National Assembly chairman Georgi Pirinski received, on 24 November 2008, the prominent European politician and first woman, elected president of the European parliament, Simone Veil. Mrs. Veil is on official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Sofia University “Kliment Ohridsky”’s President. The meeting was attended by the deputy speaker of parliament and head of the friendship group Bulgaria - France, Mrs. Anastasia Mozer, by parliamentary member Andrey Pantev and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Institute for Diplomacy, prof. Milan Milanov.

Georgi Pirinski greeted Mrs. Veil on the occasion of her nomination as member of the French Academy of Sciences and for the successful presentation in Bulgaria of her book “One life” (Une vie).

The focal points of the discussion were the need to reinforce and unite around the cause of the European solidarity. Both Mr. Pirinski and Mrs. Veil agreed that at this very moment, it was crucially important for all European countries and institutions to join their efforts in order to overcome the new challenges, ensuing from the current developments in the financial world.

Chairman Pirinski noted that Bulgaria was financially stable at the moment but might need extra help. He went on to say that the Bulgarian society needs to have a clear signal about the European solidarity. He informed Mrs. Veil about the ongoing reform in the Bulgarian Judiciary and the anti corruption measures, taken by the authorities.

On her behalf, Mrs. Veil noticed her increased interest towards Bulgaria since it became member of the EU and expressed her satisfaction with the active role of the country in the francophone movement.

Both sides agreed that there existed new possibilities to extend the dialogue with the French culture and civilization.

Among the other important topics of discussion were ethnic tolerance, gender equality and full integration of minorities in modern day societies.

Mrs. Veil is scheduled to attend, on November 25, 2008, the inauguration of a memorial plaque in honor of the seventh Alma Mater founders of Sofia University “Kliment Ohridsky” and the ceremony on her nomination as Doctor Honoris Causa of the latter.