President Plevneliev met the leadership of political party Ataka.

The “month of political consultations” initiated by President Rosen Plevneliev has conclude.

In the coming weeks, the President will outline to the National Assembly the results of a series of meetings with the leaders of parties represented in Parliament, as well as consensus measures to be put to Parliament for agreement on a concrete plan to implement them this year. At the end of the year, the President will report to MPs about progress regarding each of the measures to be proposed to Parliament.

The President held a final meeting in the “month of political consultations” series with the leadership of the Ataka political party.

The position of the party and the constructive nature of the talks lend hope that a consensus on national priorities could be achieved, President Plevneliev said.

The Head of State and the party’s leadership discussed the need to change the electoral code, measures to promote economic growth and employment, promotion of industries with high added value and innovation, as well as reforms in key sectors such as security, administration and water sector. There was unanimity that economic growth should not rely solely on funds from the European Union, but also on more efficient use of public funds for infrastructure development, science and innovation, to raise living standards in the country. Investments in technology, rather than in shopping malls, should be supported, the President said after the meeting.

Ataka party leader Volen Siderov briefed President Plevneliev on the party’s positions on the implementation of major energy projects and opportunities to diversity energy sources. The President reiterated his position that reducing the energy intensity of the Bulgarian economy and promotion of energy efficiency must be national priorities.

According to Ataka leader Siderov, referendums, as an instrument for achieving national consensus, should be used more actively. He said that referendums should be initiated on the building of new nuclear plants in Bulgaria and the question of Turkey joining the European Union.

Ataka briefed the Head of State on its position on funding opportunities for foreign debt maturing in early 2013. President Plevneliev said that the situation on international markets is calm at the moment and it is a good time for Bulgaria to issue external debt, while maintaining the conservative management of the funds in the Silver Fund.