VOA News

Bulgaria's new president says he will lead his country toward membership in the European Union and NATO.

President Georgi Purvanov made that statement Saturday in a swearing-in ceremony that also included the installation of the new vice president, Angel Marin.

Bulgaria says it expects an invitation to join NATO when it meets with alliance officials later this year. The country has held preliminary talks with EU officials, but they have not yet progressed to formal membership discussions.

The new Bulgarian president, who heads the Socialist party, says he also wants to focus on fighting crime and corruption during his term. The Bulgarian news agency reports Mr. Purvanov said he will work for tolerance of Bulgaria's ethnic minorities and wants their inclusion in the country's political process.

Georgi Purvanov won the presidency in a November runoff election against the incumbent, Petar Stoyanov, who was supported by Bulgarian prime minister - and former King - Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The prime minister's party scored an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections last June.

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