Bulgaria's progress towards accession. Strategy paper and 2004 report

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report by Geoffrey van ORDEN (EPP-ED, UK). (Please see the summary of 30/11/2004). The resolution was adopted by 527 votes in favour, 19 against and 21 abstentions. Parliament supported the Commission's conclusion that Bulgaria is a functioning market economy, as well as meeting the political criteria. It commended Bulgaria on its continuous GDP growth, significant decrease in the rate of unemployment and record levels of foreign direct investment while noting that unemployment is still high, that many people still fail to see improvement in their economic situation, and the emigration of highly qualified people, together with low mobility of regional labour forces, is creating shortages in some key sectors.