According to Finance Minister Velchev there is no need for financing through a new Eurobond issue for the time being since, besides the IMF financing, Bulgaria is negotiating with the World Bank for about USD 250 M for 2002. "Moreover, the amount expected to be needed for external debt servicing has dropped recently due to lower interest rates," Velchev pointed out. In his opinion, some of the factors, which may lead to a new Eurobond issue are debt restructuring operations, sharp rise in interest rates and the need for larger interest payments on the external debt, as well as repayments which fall due to bilateral agreements.