Brussels, 04/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - At its meeting in Brussels on 18 July, the EU-Bulgaria Joint Consultative Committee gave an update on the final preparatory steps before accession, and discussed the challenges of Bulgaria's joining the euro zone at some point in the future. The meeting was chaired jointly by Dr Hristov (for the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council) and Henri Malosse (for the European Economic and Social Committee, EESC). Dr Hristov expressed the hope that Bulgaria could overcome the remaining hurdles to its joining the EU on 1st January 2007, and reiterated how important it was to involve civil society in the decision-making process in Bulgaria. Mr Malosse said that accession to the EU could mean “more investment, innovation and sustained economic growth” for Bulgaria, and would make a 27-nation EU “more visible on the world scene”.
At the heart of discussions at the meeting was the adoption of the euro. The Bulgarian government has committed to joining the euro zone as quickly as possible after accession. This should be possible if its current prudent fiscal policy is continued and inflation brought down to the level of the Maastricht criteria, said the members of the joint consultative committee. In addition, those taking part in the meeting felt that sustained public information and close consultation with social partners and other civil society organisations were key elements of an effective communication strategy and that the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council would be a suitable platform for such dialogue.