The Prime Minister of Portugal, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, expressed his confidence that Bulgaria will conclude the process of negotiations in 2004 and become a EU member in 2007. It emerged at his meeting with National Assembly President Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov.

Jose Manuel Durao Barroso informed Prof. Gerdjikov about his conversation with European Commission President Romano Prodi last week and that Mr. Prodi doesn’t expect any obstacles to negotiations with Bulgaria.

The President of the National Assembly thanked for Portugal’s support for Bulgaria’s efforts towards EU and NATO membership. Prof. Gerdjikov said that he expected the Portuguese Parliament President’s visit to Sofia in May.

The two assessed the political relations between Bulgaria and Portugal as very good ones and shared the opinion that the economic relations should be enhanced.

The Portuguese Prime Minister stated that his country hails Bulgaria’s position on the Iraqi crisis.