Stanishev optimistic over Bulgaria euro entry

SOFIA: Bulgarian prime minister Sergei Stanishev says his country still has 'much to do' to fulfil public expectation of EU membership.
 
With Romania, the former communist country joined the EU earlier this year, amid high hopes that it would help boost the standard of living for Bulgarians.
 
Speaking in Sofia on Friday, Stanishev said that 'to some extent' public expectations of EU membership had been met.
 
But he added, "I have also to say that we still have much, much work to do in this regard.  EU membership was seen as a great opportunity for my country whose people had, for many years, been led to believe that, once we joined, the EU would 'take care of us'.
 
"There have been some positive sides of our membership of the EU and growth rate in Bulgaria is now growing at a faster rate than quite a few of the 'old' EU member states.
 
"Despite this, I realise we still have a lot to do, both socially and economically, to meet public expectations."
 
The premier was speaking at the close of the two-day Party of European Socialists council.
 
Turning to Bulgaria's possible adoption of the single currency, he said he was "optimistic" about the country's prospects.
 
He said, "We have already met four out of five of the criteria laid down by the Maastricht treaty. The big problem now is the rate of inflation in Bulgaria but, though I am reluctant to fix a date, I believe that our membership of the eurozone is coming ever nearer."

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