On November 29 members of the European Parliament debated the report on Bulgaria’s reform progress by EP rapporteur for Bulgaria Geoffrey Van Orden.

Van Orden presented the report, tabled by the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Bulgaria’s way to EU entry was long and difficult, Van Orden said. The process would continue even after the country’s accession and should be encouraged in all manners, including financially, said he.

Van Orden said that the important issues, which needed consideration, were two. Bulgaria still had to work on its justice and home affairs reforms. The second issue concerned the closure of Kozloduy nuclear power plant units, said he.

Europe was expecting energy problems in the near future, Van Orden said. Such problems could increase the energy dependency on Russia and other countries, said he.

Attitudes towards the use of nuclear energy were changing, Van Orden said. A flexible approach to the closure of Bulgaria’s two units was needed, said he.

To meet EU accession requirements, Bulgaria has to close the two units by the end of 2006. The country is among the major electricity exporters on the Balkans and provides significant part of the electricity its neighbouring countries use.