Ruse Horse

Bulgaria's Parliament adopted amendments to the Constitution related to Bulgaria's EU accession at a conclusive, third-reading vote on Friday. The amendments were greenlighted 226-5 in a roll-call vote in the 240-seat Parliament and make Bulgaria fully equipped to sign the accession treaty with the European Union. The solemn parliamentary session was attended by President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg, Cabinet members, Patriarch Maxim and diplomats. The second amendment to Bulgaria's main law, adopted in 1991, provides for the purchase of Bulgarian land by foreigners. Foreign natural and legal persons will be able to acquire Bulgarian land proprietorship at the terms and conditions deriving from the accession of Bulgaria to the EU or under an international treaty, promulgated and enforced in Bulgaria. Because of the seven-year grace period negotiated by Bulgaria and the EU for land sale, EU citizens will actually be able to acquire Bulgarian land from 2014. The same timeline will be in force for nationals of countries outside the Union, Bulgarian MPs decided. The amended texts are expected to enter into force by March 2005. The terms and regulations of Bulgarian land acquisition by foreigners will further be regulated under a future law on real estates proprietorship. Experts project that the open sale of Bulgarian land to foreigners will enliven the market of tilling land in the country. Under the other constitutional amendments, the Parliament will ratify with a majority of two-thirds international contracts, which entitle the EU with rights deriving from Bulgaria's main law. A law will provide for the elections of European parliament members, as well as the participation of EU citizens in Bulgaria's local elections. Under the adopted amendments the government is obliged to inform the parliament when it joins the drawing up and adoption of EU acts. All political forces agreed that Friday's vote proves Bulgaria's consensus on its European future.

Ruse Bulgaria Ready to Sign EU Accession Treaty