There are no voices talking about possible economic pressure on Libya as a way to solve the issue of five Bulgarian medics on a death row, according to German Ambassador Michael Geier.

The German diplomat, whose country has taken the wheel of EU rotating Presidency, reminded that during a visit to Libya in November 2006, Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor.

The "ongoing problem" of their detention weighed heavily on Libya's relations not only with Germany but with the rest of the EU, Steinmeier said after meeting with his Libyan counterpart, Abdel Rahmann Moahmmed Shalgan, in Tripoli.

Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor are being held since 1999 on charges of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV/AIDS. A Libyan court condemned them to death December 19.

EU's external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier have all denounced the death sentences.

Bulgaria can fully rely on the support of the EU including for the Bulgarian medics unjustly sentenced in Libya, EU Parliament President Josep Borrell, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and EC President Jose Barroso have assured.

At the same press conference on Tuesday, Ambassador Michael Geier presented the priorities of the German presidency of the European Union to end June 30.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!