NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT GERDJIKOV MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, MR. HERMAN DE CROO

Today National Assembly President Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov met with the President of the Chamber of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Herman De Croo.

Bulgaria hopes the European Council to announce the completion of the EU accession negotiations with this country in December 2004 and to set a date for signing an Accession Treaty in the beginning of 2005, Prof. Gerdjikov said.

Mr. De Croo voiced satisfaction with the speed of the harmonization process of the Bulgarian legislation with the European one.

The Bulgarian Parliament is one of the few legislative bodies in the world, which Belgium has signed a cooperation agreement with, the guest said.

Among the subjects under discussion during the meeting was the judicial system in Bulgaria. Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov acquainted his guest with the steps taken in judicial reform - the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted already by Parliament, as well as with the draft amendments to the Judiciary Act and the forthcoming second amendment to the Constitution, related to the judiciary reform, which is in preparation.