Much of the first term of the ruling majority has passed already. Can you evaluate the greatest successes achieved within that period by the National Movement Simeon II?

The main thing that can be highlighted is Bulgaria's approach to the realisation of the country's strategic priorities, which are namely EU and NATO memberships. At the Copenhagen summit Bulgaria received a final date for its membership in 2007. The adherence protocols for NATO membership have already been ratified by the Canadian parliament. We express the hope that by May 2004 Bulgaria will be a full member of NATO. In economic aspects, the recognition by both the Regular Report of the European Commission and the US of the functioning of Bulgaria's market economy is extremely important. In spite of the global recession Bulgaria marks an economic growth of 4.5 per cent for 2002. Meanwhile the credit rating of the country has been increased several times by leading credit agencies. Of course, we face a great deal of hard work in the future in order to make these results affect the standard of life of every Bulgarian citizen.

Do you think that Bulgaria might come across some unexpected obstacles on its way to full membership of NATO and the EU? Do you expect any problems or delays in the process of the ratification of Bulgaria to NATO by some of the major European member states (France and Germany for example)?

For our part we are going to do our best to maintain the pace of the processes of integration. What is most important is to keep up the intensity with which reforms are being implemented and which we are fully committed to implementing.

Do you think that Bulgaria's position on the Iraqi crisis will reflect somehow on Bulgaria as a partner of Europe?

I do not think so. Our partners from the EU have declared this pretty clearly. I am convinced because of the recent meetings held in Brussels with EU enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen, and the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, who have personally assured me that Bulgaria's position on the Iraqi crisis will not reflect on the country's process of integration.

Does the firm intention to fight corruption still exist in the National Movement Simeon II, and what actual steps have been made in this direction?

Categorically! As you are maybe well aware, very good results against corruption have been made. This is how we are going to work in the future, too.

At the same time we realise completely that an effective fight against corruption and crime can exist only if there is an effectively functioning judiciary system. Reform of the judiciary is also a commitment the ruling majority has made for Bulgarian citizens. However, this is a requirement by our partners both from the European Union and NATO. At the initiative of the ruling majority of the National Movement Simeon II and The Movement for Rights and Freedoms, a consensus between the political powers present was reached, and a declaration for the major tendencies or reforms to the Bulgarian judiciary system was signed. What is left ahead of us now is to set concrete terms and actions to be taken to implement this consensus.

Can you commit yourself to announcing any candidates from the National Movement Simeon II to run for mayor in the larger Bulgarian towns in the coming local elections, and will the National Movement Simeon II support current mayor Stefan Sofianski's candidacy for mayor of Sofia?

It is very early to set concrete names. What is already a fact is the choice of a National Pre-election Headquarters, which will prepare the strategy for the National Movement Simeon II's participation in the coming local elections.

Do you see any political responsibility by the Cabinet behind what happened with Bulgartabac's privatisation?

The Privatisation Agency and the Government have proceeded very responsibly by terminating Bulgartabac's privatisation procedure due to the conditions set by the buyer and which were contradictory to Bulgaria's national interests. A detailed analysis is about to be made, of course, but our categorical determination is to finally complete the privatisation of the tobacco holding. Whether Bul-gartabac will be offered again in a package, or will first be restructured, is yet to be decided.

Do you think that there has been an interweaving of political and economic interests in the Bulgarian Teleco-mmunication Company's privatisation, and will the Government have enough determination to close the BTC deal?

By the way, the privatisation procedures for BTC and for Bulgartabac were transparent and extremely open. The bids were opened publicly in front of the whole society. This is an unprecedented practice, which if it had been accepted by the preceding governments, would not have generated the corrupting mechanisms that struck the economy such an overwhelming blow. We are doing our best to successfully finalise the BTC deal. The procedure is in progress, of course. The Privatisation Agency is the organisation leading the negotiations and I cannot comment on the concrete parameters.

How would you evaluate the National Movement Simeon II's partnership with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms?

I would evaluate our partnership as extremely positive. The current coalition formula is an expression of the successful Bulgarian ethnic model, which recognised Bulgaria as secure and stable factor in the region. I think that this is why the ruling majority has achieved such significant domestic and foreign political results.

Do you think that the opposition is showing signs of co-operation with the National Movement Simeon II?

The National Movement Simeon II has always been open to dialogue. We are ready to work with everyone who unites around the national priorities of the country. Of course there are topics like judicial reform, for example, on which we are trying to gain the wide support of our colleagues from the opposition. This is not simply an important political expression of consensus, but is a prerequisite for achieving the parliamentary majority needed for the implementation of some legislative changes.

Is there any factionalism ahead of the National Movement Simeon II after the registering of the new parliamentary group National Initiative for Unity (NIU) or has it all came to an end? Does the National Movement Simeon II feel threatened by the new discussion group New Time caucus within the NMSII?

I consider the group to be standing solidly. The availability of one or more discussion groups within the parliamentary group, as long as they do not contradict of the group's regulation, can only improve the efficiency of our work.

Has any preparation been launched for the building of political relations with the future rulers of Iraq?

Through the Bulgarian Parliament's will and the Governments' actions, the country categorically supported the Coalition for Iraq's disarmament at an extremely difficult moment, when there was not one common opinion even among the countries of the EU. Now, when the dictators' regime in Iraq is being deposed and there is a new perspective before the Iraqi people to develop freely and democratically, we can be proud that our decision was right and prompt. At the present moment what is important is Iraq's stabilisation. We will be consecutive in our policy and we will co-operate for the establishment of democratic institutions in Iraq and for post-crisis restoration of the country.