Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova presented today the national strategy for dealing with negative demographic tendencies. Officials are looking for resources for solving the problem, Maslarova said.

The aim of the document is to stop negative demographic developments, Focus news agency reported.

Maslarova said measures would aim at decreasing the high mortality rate, prolonging the average lifespan, and reverting migration processes.

 The ministry would look for financial stimuli that will encourage parents raise more children. To implement these measures, however, different institutions need to co-operate, Maslarova said.

Low birthrate is not the main demographic problem Bulgaria faces, Maslarova told the Bulgarian National Radio. A set of combined measures will be needed, as encouraging higher birthrate only would not produce the required results, said she.

The environment in which children are raised also plays significant role for shaping demographic processes within the country, said Maslarova.

The Cabinet will take the first steps in 2007 but the process will be continuous, said Maslarova. Implementing a demographic strategy is a process that takes 20 to 30 years to complete, said she.