The interim report on Bulgaria and Romania, which the European Commission (EC) published on February 4, was objective and precise, and it realistically reflected what had been achieved as well as what areas developed slower, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said.

Parvanov said he believed that if information which "had been delayed on its way from Sofia to Brussels" would be taken into account, conclusions would be more optimistic, Bulgarian National Radio said.

Parvanov made his statements at a news conference together with visiting Hungarian president László Sólyom.

Sólyom said that the interim report should not be taken as criticism, but as help and guidance in solving particular problems. Sólyom said he was certain that Bulgaria would take the necessary steps in its fight against corruption and organised crime.