The European Union will observe closely the work of the ruling coalition in Bulgaria, while insisting that it produces a stable government.

The statement was made by Guenter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission, during his meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev in Brussels.

We came to Brussels to express to the EC the will of the Bulgarian government and the parliamentary majority to make up for with lost time and to prepare the country for EU membership on 1 January 2007, the premier said upon his arrival in Brussels. This is his first visit as Prime Minister abroad.

Accompanied by his deputy and Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin and EU-Affairs Minister Meglena Kuneva, Stanishev reaffirmed Verheugen's statement that Bulgaria is not less prepared for EU entry than either country of ten newest entrants to the bloc.

There are even fields where Bulgaria is showing better results, Minister Kuneva pointed out and added Bulgaria is sure to accede the EU in 2007, provided that it keeps on track with the schedule of reforms.

Talks with EC President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, with Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union Laszlo Kovacs and Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs were also held later the same day.

This is the first visit of Stanishev to Brussels since he formally took office August 17. The new three-party coalition government was formed after nearly two months of political wrangling that delayed the start of judicial reforms and market liberalisation, laid out by Brussels as conditions for EU membership.

Sergey Stanishev has already pledged to work around the clock to pass reforms crucial for the country to join the European Union in 2007. If Bulgaria, which missed out in the first wave of EU expansion last year, fails to implement the reforms in time, it may face a one-year delay.

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