” “"We are firmly determined to continue the reforms" that have been started during the preliminary accession process, and "we intend to implement all of the EU legislation in our country. We are convinced that Bulgaria’s accession to the EU will benefit our country but will also bring benefits to the other member states". The Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov, as he spoke this morning at the EU Parliament in Brussels, insisted on the "added value" of the recent accession of Sofia and Bucharest to the EU, speaking above all of the "important role of my country to fulfil Europe’s energy requirement". Parvanov promised new "results against corruption and crime, not least to make the most of the EU funds" for domestic development. The speaker highlighted the "contribution Bulgaria might give to stabilise the Balkan region", his "firm support of the German chairmanship to outline a roadmap for the Constitution" and to tackle the "big common issues", including foreign and security policies. "We intend to defend, on a European scale, our national interests, our culture stated the president but in the awareness that we must be members of a Union that is based on a bond of solidarity" between the states and the peoples, and this "demands a shared responsibility".” “
