Today, 29 September 2005, National Assembly President Georgi Pirinski met with Mr. Guy Canivet, first President of the French Court of Cassation, who is paying a visit to Bulgaria.

Pirinski informed his guest about a wide scope of issues related to the Parliament's activity. He underscored that the harmonization of the Bulgarian legislation with the European one is among the main priorities of the 40th National Assembly and the European prospect has been shared by all parliamentary presented political forces.

The consideration of the draft Penal Procedure Code at second reading has already been started and its adoption is intended the soonest possible, National Assembly President Pirinski said. "The National Assembly has worked in full interaction with the institutions of the executive for the effective implementation of the legislative acts," he added. "Within our active international activity, we constantly assure our European partners that Bulgaria conscientiously honours all commitments assumed under the Treaty of Accession," Pirinski said. In his words, besides the interparliamentary contacts, Bulgaria attaches particular importance to the cooperation with other countries' courts, including with the Court of the French Republic.

Mr. Canivet said that France follows with good feeling and attention the processes happened in Bulgaria, including the reforms in judicial system, which are very important for Bulgaria's accession to the EU. "The community of magistrates and judges in France is ready to share its experience and give full support to its Bulgarian counterparts in order to finalize successfully the judiciary reforms," he added.

National Assembly President Pirinski expressed hope that the French National Assembly will ratify in due time the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria to the European Union.