Brussels, 23/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The report by the British Conservative, Geoffrey Van Orden, adopted on Thursday in the EP's foreign affairs committee by 44 votes in favour, with 2 abstentions, approves Bulgaria's accession on 1 January. The same concerns were expressed for Bulgaria as for Romania (avoid safeguard measures) and MEPs invited Bulgaria to continue its efforts. MEPs underline the importance of “optimum transparency in all sectors”, notably those involving privatisation, calls for tender and public procurement, and also call for increased powers for the Bulgarian Ombudsman. Other measures are needed for fighting corruption, organised crime and drug trafficking, indicates the report, which also mentions concerns about living conditions in orphanages and centres for the physically and mentally disabled, as well as integration of the Rom minority. At an economic level, MEPs expressed concern about the “invisible barriers” to foreign investors. They also call on the Council to grant an 8 month deadline before requesting the closure of units 3 and 4 in the Kozloduy nuclear plant. (ab)