US Ambassador to Sofia John Beyrle expressed his firm belief that Bulgaria can cope with the high-level corruption and organized crime at a round table, dedicated to the first year of Bulgaria's membership in the EU.

"Bulgarians should learn taking themselves as Europeans as they actually are," the ambassador said.

Beyrle emphasized that one of the main tasks he is decided to fulfil is opening of a direct airline between Bulgaria and the US in 2008.

US experts are to arrive to Bulgaria next month in order to evaluate the country's readiness for such a line, the envoy explained.

Bulgaria's EU Affairs Minister Gergana Grancharova, who has also attended the discussion, said Bulgaria's debut on the EU stage was marked by some positive events such as the release of the six medics from imprisonment in Libya and establishing the Cyrillic alphabet as an official one in the bloc.

"Besides Bulgaria attracts big investments and its credit rating increases," Minister Grancharova added.

The head of the European Commission representation to the country Michael Humphreys emphasized that Bulgaria should continue working on solving its most serious problems.

"EC is to evaluate Bulgaria's progress in March next year," Mr. Humphreys said during the discussion, organized by the US Chamber of Commerce.

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