BULGARIA CONFIRMED AS MARKET-BASED ECONOMY
U.S. to Send Business Development Mission
to Bulgaria Later This Year
Following
meetings with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Prime Minister
Simeon Saxe-Coburg, U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans confirmed that
the U.S. will acknowledge Bulgaria as a market-based economy.
Evans
also announced that the Commerce Department will lead a business development
mission to Bulgaria later this year to further expand economic and
commercial relations between the two nations.
The
business development mission will build on President Bushs eagerness
to expand commercial ties around the world and underscores the maturing
relationship between Bulgaria and the U.S., said Evans. Increased
commerce between our two countries will open opportunities for entrepreneurs,
grow our economies and create higher paying jobs.
Bulgaria
has made significant economic reforms over the last number of years.
Commercial development between our two nations will lead to peace,
prosperity and economic stability in the U.S. and Bulgaria,
Evans emphasized.
Evans
traveled to Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, February 27-March 1, at
the request of President Bush to demonstrate Americas support
and appreciation of these countries as part of the Administrations
ongoing effort to pursue peace and diplomacy abroad.
Evans
is the first Cabinet Secretary to visit Bulgaria since Bush took office.