Greek newspaper Naftemporiki published an oppinion by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev saying that the country had become a secure investment destination in Southeastern Europe.

Stanishev participates in a business forum in Athens featuring Greek, Bulgarian and Romanian representatives, aimed at improving economic relations in view of Bulgaria and Romania's expected EU accession in 2007.

Stanishev said that Bulgarian economy attracted $13 billion investment from 1992 to 2005. The main investor was Austria with $2.51 billion, followed by Greece and Germany, Naftemportiki reported.

Stanishev said that Bulgaria expected even more investment in 2006. Over the first three months of the year direct foreign investment totalled 755.4 million euro, which was twice more than the investment for the same period in 2005.

According to Stanishev, the tendency for increasing foreign investment proved that Bulgaria was a politically and economically stable country.

Stanishev listed the country's NATO membership, the expected EU accession and the Cabinet's steady economic and financial policy as the reasons for the investors' interest in Bulgaria. The increased trust resulted in the creation of a business sector with high export potential, new work places and competitive Bulgarian brands.

Stanishev said that international financial institutions like Standart&Poor's, Japan Credit Rating Agency, Fitch and Moody's had increased significantly Bulgaria's credit ranking over the past four years.

To improve investment conditions, the Cabinet would work on developing transport infrastructure and on reforming the administrative and judicial systems, Stanishev said.

Bulgaria's EU accession would add to the union's economic growth and political stability, he added.