The leaders of the parliamentary Healthcare, Agriculture and Food Committees met with the EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, who is on official visit to Bulgaria.

Mr. Andriukaitis noted that the important themes in the EU countries are the money allocated for healthcare, child mortality, infectious diseases, smoking and microbial resistance.

Rumen Hristov, Chairman of the Agricultural and Food committee, informed the guest that the Bulgarian parliament had undertaken important steps against harmful habits by introducing an absolute ban on smoking in public spaces and by recently increasing the excise duty on cigarettes. It is obvious that living standards in Bulgaria should be increased, something that will prolong life expectancy and will ensure better quality of life and food.

The chair of the healthcare committee, Daniela Daritkova, expressed satisfaction of the meeting and informed the commissioner that the above themes of the EU were included in the strategy for development of the Bulgarian healthcare system until 2020. She said the authorities aim at decreasing twice the rate of child mortality by focusing on better prophylactic and health education. She added that prophylactic measures are given priority with the consideration that the latter represent high investment in the future.