Ruse Horse

Bulgaria's Finance Minister Milen Veltchev and central Bank Governor Ivan Iskrov became Sunday the first Bulgarian observers at the meeting of European Union (EU) finance ministers. Veltchev and Iskrov attended a session in Luxembourg, which is currently presiding the EU. Upon his return to Bulgaria, Minister Veltchev said he hoped that on May 18 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would approve the first review of the two-year precautionary agreement with Bulgaria. The country's EU Accession Treaty was signed during a solemn ceremony in Luxembourg on April 25. Bulgaria ratified the accord on May 11. The country is widely considered to be the most likely of the Balkan countries to join the EU in 2007.

Ruse Bulgarian Observers Join EU Council