H. E. Prokopios Mantzouranis was appointed Greece's Ambassador to Bulgaria in 2002. In 1978 he served as Third secretary with the Embassy of Greece in Sofia, Bulgaria. Two years later he arrived in the French capital where he served as Second and First Secretary with the Embassy of Greece there. He was appointed Consul-General in Skopje, former Yugoslavia (1986) and promoted First Counsellor (1990). Four years later he served at the Greek Permanent Representation by the European Union. Аmbassador of Greece to Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1997 to 2000. Born 1945, in Bari, Italy. Attorney at Law, Athens Bar Association. Married with three children. Speaks English, French.

Ambassador Mantzouranis answered questions of Sofia News Agency Editor-in-Chief Milena Hristova.

This is the second interview in a series that will present to Sofia News Agency readers the views of EU member states ambassadors on Bulgaria's EU prospects.


Q: Which were Bulgaria's achievements and failures in 2005 in its efforts to draw closer to EU accession?

A: I see as major achievements the efforts to promote the different reforms required by the EU, to integrate the acquis communautaire. As failures I would describe the lack of implementation of the reforms in some areas, particularly in the Justice and Home Affairs sector.

Q: What should Bulgaria do during the first half of next year to keep January 1, 2007 a feasible target date for EU accession?

A: Bulgaria should pursue the completion and implementation of reforms. The avis of the European Commission of November last is eloquent. If Bulgaria sticks to her obligations, then she will achieve the target of January 2007.

Q: Greece has already ratified the accession treaty signed by Bulgaria and Romania on April 25. Could a delay in the complete ratification by all member states deal a blow to the country's accession in 2007?

A: The delay in ratifying the Accession Treaty might come from a negative avis of the European Commission next April. Accordingly, if the avis is not negative, the ratification should not be a stumbling block.

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