Brussels, 04/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EPP-ED Group Bureau is to meet in Sofia on 7 and 8 April, under the chairmanship of Hans-Gert Pöttering, to discuss progress made by Bulgaria towards its accession to the European Union (the rapporteur on Bulgaria's membership application is British Conservative Geoffrey Van Orden, who is a member of the group). The MEPs will start with a debate on the political situation and the forthcoming elections in Bulgaria, which will be attended by Nadhzhda Mihaylova, vice-president of the European People's Party and former Bulgarian minister for foreign affairs, Anastasia Moser, president of BANU, and Aleksander Pramatarski, president of the Democratic Party (two associate member parties of the EPP). Under the direction of Jaime Mayor Oreja, the attendees will discuss the economic situation in Bulgaria and the development of its agriculture. Among other issues raised will be the fight against corruption and the integration of ethnic and religious minorities.