With the visit of Pope John Paul II to Bulgaria a national cause for Bulgaria and for a number of generations was realized, Foreign Minister Passy said in an interview for CNN. He pointed out that the fact that Pope John Paul has absolved Bulgaria of any link to the assassination attempt on him in 1981 was of great importance for Bulgaria. Passy also pointed out that the Papal visit exactly in 2002 was very meaningful, considering the country’s hopes for NATO invitation and acceleration of the negotiations with the European Union this year. “Bulgaria deserves a better future, “Passy said. CNNI anchor Ralitza Vassileva underlined that Foreign Minister Passy was one of the people who has made a lot of efforts to organize the visit of the Holy Father to Bulgaria.