Street signs in Sofia may soon have a Latin alphabet version joining the Bulgarian name. The suggestion was raised Sunday by Assen Dyulgerov, secretary of the Sofia Municipality.

"This is still not an official proposal but rather an invitation for public debate on the issue," Dyulgerov told The Echo.

"I think it is normal that the signs of geographic places and infrastructure sites be written in Latin, too. Otherwise our geographical and city environment is absolutely inaccessible for foreign citizens. And, after all, we try to attract as many foreigners as possible, to internationalise our social life, which is also a priority of the state in view of the process of EU integration."

Dyulgerov said he came up with the idea through his everyday work. He also followed foreigners' opinions on how Bulgaria looked through their eyes. "In order to give them the right idea of Bulgaria, we should undertake many small steps, one of which is street signs in Latin," he explained.

According to Dyulgerov, with street signs in Latin, Sofia would look like a real European capital.

Pauline Young, a British citizen on a short visit to Bulgaria said: "It would be really helpful for us to find places with signs in English. Especially for foreigners who visit the country for the first time." Young noted that in all the European capitals she had visited, there were signs in more than one language, including English.

However, other foreigners did not have serious problems with Bulgarian street signs.

"I have this beautiful map," said a U.S. soldier who did not want his name in print. "I look at a street name or pick a major monument that I am near, then I pull out the map and I go whichever way I need to go. Places like clubs are in English and they have a number on the map. If the streets are in English it will make it easier for English-speaking people. But if they have a map and plan a little, they shouldn't have any problems."

Dyulgerov said he could not state an exact date when all streets in Sofia might have their names in Latin, too. "The public debate has already started in the media. We may even introduce it for discussion in the municipality council. First of all we want to provoke interest on the issue and hear different opinions."