`Stable macroeconomic framework and higher living standards are the topmost aims of the Government of the Simeon II National Movement,` Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg said as he presented the governmental program in Parliament on October 26. `The principal goal in the economic field is establishing a working market economy following the European standards,` the Prime Minister said.`The tenure programme includes drawing foreign investment between 1,000 and 1,200 million dollars a year on the average, zero budget deficit by 2005, and measures to promote export, reduce the trade deficit and the deficit in the current account, and complete the privatization process in the conditions of full transparency,` said the Prime Minister. By 2005, the Government plans to have completed the main infrastructure projects. The priorities in this field are the energy industry, communications and hi-tech, agriculture, tourism and transport. The Bulgarian Government hopes to get an invitation for NATO membership in 2002 and completing successfully the negotiations with the EU by 2005. "We will try to close all negotiations chapters by 2003," the Prime Minister said. MPs from the parliamentary groups of the United Democratic Forces and the leftist `Coalition for Bulgaria` insisted that the tenure program must be put to "a serious debate" in Parliament next week, but their calls were ignored. Mihail Mikov from Coalition for Bulgaria submitted a formal motion for a debate. The Simeon II National Movement deputy floor leader Vladimir Donchev said in response that all government ministers are in the plenary chamber and are ready for debate now. Muravei Radev, former Finance Minister and MP from the United Democratic Forces proposed an extraordinary session later on Friday or on Monday next week. In the plenary chamber were the Prime Minister, his deputies Nikolay Vassilev and Lidia Shouleva, and the Ministers of the Interior Georgi Petkanov, of Finance Milen Velchev, of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy and of Transport Plamen Petrov.

ABSTRACT from PM`s speech in Parliament - TODAY in For the Record section

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