by President Georgi Parvanov
Millennium Development Goals Report – Bulgaria 2008
Bulgaria’s second Millennium Development Goals Report – 2008 accurately and justly reflects the contribution of the Republic of Bulgaria towards global development goals. The report outlines our country’s achievements for raising the living standards of Bulgarian people, for education and healthcare, for protecting the environment, for strengthening democracy and building a more effective international system of development assistance.
The analyses of progress against the specific targets and indicators under each of the eight global goals formulated in 2003 in the country’s National Millennium Development Goals Report, give grounds for judging the practical actions of several Bulgarian governments in the respective areas on their merits, for getting a clear picture about the extent of cooperation and interaction between the Bulgarian state and the UN agencies operating in the country as well as the quality of dialogue and partnership with business, trade unions, local governments and non-governmental organizations.
The Republic of Bulgaria successfully completed transition to democracy and a market economy and gained full membership in the European Union, while the process of reform became a powerful factor for achieving the global Millennium Development Goals. The country reports a steady and high pace of economic growth; it is becoming an auspicious place for investment, living and tourism as incomes are growing fast and unemployment is rapidly decreasing.
In this report Bulgaria sets itself more ambitious goals comparable to those in the other European Union member states. The country’s transformation from a beneficiary into a donor of international aid will make our contribution to the international system of development assistance all the more significant. Furthermore, Bulgaria is ready to share its experience from the transition to democracy and a market economy, from building democratic institutions and establishing civil society and market structures with other countries in
Southeast Europe as well as other regions, thereby enabling faster achievement of the global Millennium Development Goals.
The policies, approaches and measures proposed in the country’s Millennium Development Goals Report – 2008 provide a good basis for accelerated implementation of the planned targets by 2015, for ensuring higher living standards and quality of life, for more competitive education and more effective healthcare, for a sustainable environment and for a greater contribution of the Republic of Bulgaria towards the global goals of international development assistance.
Our joint effort, will and action can create a better life for all!
Georgi Parvanov
President of the Republic of Bulgaria
