French magazine Paris Match published an article describing Bulgaria as the 'Balkans' rose'.

The 'young and energetic' Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev effectively guided Bulgaria towards EU accession, the magazine said. With its EU-related reforms Bulgaria established itself as a modern country and set an example to other Balkan states.

Paris Match quoted Stanishev as saying that Bulgaria played an important role in securing stability and development in the Balkan region. All new EU member states added to the union's life and force and contributed to the execution of the European idea in the 21 century.

Europe was a mixture of various peoples with their separate traditions and potentials, Stanishev said. Bulgaria offered a unique natural, cultural and historic heritage, he added.

Only a few months before its expected EU accession, Bulgaria demonstrated rapid economic growth and attracted significant foreign investment, Paris Match said. The country achieved stable economy, strict financial discipline and a functioning stock exchange.

The liberalisation of the market and the reforms in the energy sector added to the country's potential as investment destination. According to Paris Match Banque de France called Bulgaria 'the future Switzerland on the Balkans'. French investment in the country had increased from 150 million euro in 2004 to over 275 million euro in 2006, Paris Match said.