Bulgaria

Council of the European Union: Europe Agreement with Bulgaria

IRIS 1995-2:1/4

Institut für Europäisches Medienrecht

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 18 December 1994, the European Council and the Commission of the European Communities drew up a joint agreement to set up an association between the European Communities and their Member States and Bulgaria. When it comes into force, this collaboration agreement, as provided for in Article 124, will replace the Agreement on business and economic co-operation and trade signed in Brussels on 8 May 1990 between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Bulgaria. Some of the objectives of the association include the gradual setting-up of a free-trade area between the Community and Bulgaria as well as creating a sound basis for economic, financial, cultural and social collaboration. This will allow Bulgaria to obtain support for the development of its market economy and to be slowly integrated into the Community.

Economic collaboration has been promoted in Article 83 of the association agreement which contains measures dealing with telecommunications and postal services. It is hoped that co-operation will consequently be strengthened and deepened by information exchange on technological and political subjects, the transfer of technology and know-how, joint projects and the introduction of European standards. Activities have been concentrated above all on drawing up and implementing policies for promoting a market economy, legal and administrative regulations and procedures and modernising the Bulgarian telephone network with a view to integrating it into the European and international networks. Article 92 of the agreement lays down an obligation to exchange information and develop audio-visual services. It is planned for Bulgaria to take part in Community projects on media programmes and in suitable EUREKA programmes. As for regulations governing cross-border radio and television broadcasts, the two parties plan to co-ordinate and, if necessary, bring their policies into line with each other concerning technical audio-visual standards and the further development of European audio-visual techniques.

Even cultural collaboration in the film-making and selling field will be promoted and rendered easier, in line with Article 98 jo. 92.