January 16, 2009
On January 16, 2009 the National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski held meeting with representatives of diverse civic organizations - of students, of environmentalists, of agricultural producers and mothers associations. The meeting was attended by the chairman of the parliamentary group of the Coalition for Bulgaria, the deputy chairman of the group of the National Movement for Surge and Stability , the deputy chairman of the PG of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, the deputy chairman of the Coalition for Bulgaria, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on the environment and waters, the chairman of the subcommittee on the EU absorption of funds and the deputy chairman of the committee on education and science.
The representatives were able to present in details their demands and to submit in a written form, specific matters in need of solutions.
During the discussions, it became clear that some of the problems have already been solved, some need to be further clarified. It has been agreed that efforts should be made demands to be addressed to the competent state institutions in charge of the corresponding problem.
The members of parliament took the commitment to further assist the civic organizations in their relations with the state institutions and implement oversight on the implementation of the reached decisions, along with the introduction of the necessary legislative amendments.
The attendants at the meeting raised the issue of the lack of proper interaction between the civic organizations and the executive and legislative branch of government. It was agreed that amendments to the Rules of Organization and Procedure of the National Assembly should be made as to facilitate these organizations to take part in the debates of the different issues of their concern in the parliamentary committees. The chairman of the National Assembly promised to help, in person, the moving of the protesters’ demands.