Recovery is Top Goal - Bulgaria's New PM to EU, NATO Envoys

Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski has singled out economic recovery as the topmost priority of his cabinet at a meeting with ambassadors from EU and NATO country Tuesday.

The meeting with representatives of Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic allies was the first since Oresharski assumed office last Wednesday.

"The restoration of Bulgarian institutions' normal functioning and the recovery investors' trust will the topmost challenge for the government for at least the coming year," stated Bulgaria's PM, according to a cabinet press release.

"All other goals will be achieved more easily if we are successful in this project of normalization, including the improvement of the climate for doing business in Bulgaria," added he.

Oresharski explained that with respect to relations with EU partners, the areas of highest priorty will be justice and home affairs, as well the efficient absorption of EU funds.

It was thus that he motivated the appointment of a Vice-PM in charge of justice and EU funds in the person of former EC representative in Sofia Zinaida Zlatanova.

Zlatanova, together with Foreign Affairs Minister Kristian Vigenin and Minister of Interior Tsvetlin Yovchev, was also present at the official meeting.

Oresharski pointed out that a second Vice-PM envisioned to be appointed in charge of economic matters will be responsible for bettering the business climate, lowering the administrative burden, and boosting FDIs.

In addition, Bulgaria's new PM stressed that the efforts of his cabinet will be also concertedly directed at the restoration of proper statehood and rule of law in Bulgaria, which according to him were negatively affected by the governance of Bulgaria's last cabinet (2009-13), chaired by center-right GERB party leader Boyko Borisov.

"We must put an end to all recidives and attempts at soft dictatorships," said Oresharski.

In particular, he vowed to be respectful to Parliament and to work towards reaffirming its constitutional role.

Among the short-term priorites of his cabinet, Oresharski singled out a package of support for Bulgaria's poorest households and a string of other social measures, some of them directed at boosting employment.

Short-term tasks specified also include a reform of the law enforcement sector, including a "restoration of the balance of competences between the Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security."

Oresharski also vowed to put an end to what is seen as the widespread and largely unmotivated wiretapping effected during the term of office of the GERB cabinet.

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