People can now reach emergency services from anywhere in the EU, simply by dialling 112, the single European emergency number.

Now that 112 can be called from any phone in Bulgaria, it has achieved complete availability just before the Christmas period.

"112 working everywhere in the EU is a nice present to all Europeans, and the timing is perfect: during the holiday season. From now on I expect 112 to be an essential travel companion for holiday makers in every corner of the EU," the EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said.

The single European emergency number 112 is now fully available in Bulgaria - following an infringement procedure launched by the Commission in October 2007.

Since then, significant efforts have been undertaken by the Bulgarian authorities to catch up with other countries and implement 112.

In September 2008, the Commission decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice, but delayed it by three months to allow Bulgaria to finalise its implementation plan.

According to national authorities, a campaign to increase awareness of Bulgarians on 112 should start soon. All this could allow the Commission to close the infringement case against Bulgaria in early 2009.

The European emergency number 112 was introduced in 1991 to complement national emergency numbers and make emergency services more accessible in all EU Member States. Since 1998, EU rules require Member States to ensure that all fixed and mobile phone users can call 112 free of charge. Since 2003, telecoms operators must provide caller location information to emergency services.

In June 2008 the Commission launched a website (ec.europa.eu/112) dedicated to 112 providing information in all official EU languages to citizens who travel within the EU.

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