Accession to the European Union and Bulgaria's readiness for membership were key topics in Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg's talks in Strasbourg and Brussels during his three-day official visit which began on Monday. This was the first trip abroad of the new prime minister since he took office in the summer.

In Brussels, Saxe-Coburg met with European Commission President Romano Prodi on Monday. After the terrorist events of September 11, enlargement became all the more important and grew into an instrument to guarantee democracy, stability and security in Europe, Prodi said. He described Bulgaria's progress in the accession talks as substantial.

"It is not easy, it is a challenge for us, but we are aware of its importance and see it as our topmost priority," said the Bulgarian prime minister, referring to keeping up with the schedule for negotiations with the EU.

Saxe-Coburg's meeting with his Belgian counterpart Guy Verhofstadt took place Monday afternoon. The two premiers agreed that their countries have enjoyed a good relationship recently. Verhofstadt said that Belgium is the second biggest foreign investor in Bulgaria but that Belgian investment can increase especially in view of the good economic climate in Bulgaria.

During his meeting with NATO Secretary General George Robertson, the Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that it is in NATO's interest to enlarge eastward after the September 11 attacks.

Before leaving for Strasbourg, Saxe-Coburg had talks with representatives of the Brussels International Airport Company. They presented an investment project for reconstruction and modernization of the Varna airport.

In Strasbourg on Wednesday, Saxe-Coburg had a session with the president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontain, and the European commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Pedro Sobles Mira.

According to a press release from Mira's office, the commissioner noted that Bulgaria has lasting macroeconomic stability, progress in privatization and structural reform, but still needs to take measures toward a working market economy.

The Bulgarian delegation consisted of the prime minister, deputy foreign minister and chief negotiator with the EU Meglena Kuneva, and chief of the Cabinet Stoyan Ganev. Foreign Minister Solomon Passi, who arrived in Brussels last Friday, also joined them.