The Bulgarian Citizenship Act allows for the naturalization of people who have made special contributions to the country's social and economic sphere, in science, technology, culture and sport. I am proud to have this opportunity to introduce to you someone who definitely has those qualities.So said Vice President Margarita Popova today, presenting for the first the reasons for granting Bulgarian citizenship under Article 16 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act to Joseph Alcalay, a professor of dermatology and microsurgery.

The parents of the famous dermatological surgeon were born in Bulgaria. Joseph Alcalay has contributed greatly to the development of Bulgarian-Israeli relations, the Vice President said. Over the past decade, Professor Alcalay has done much to promote co-operation between the medical faculties of Bulgaria and Israel. Professor Alcalay is president of the International Society of Dermatologic Surgery, director of the micro-surgery programme at the American College, and Senior Consultant on Dermatology at the Israeli Cancer Association.