The ratification procedure of Bulgaria’s EU accession treaty will end in the French parliament by the fall.

During a meeting with a French parliamentary delegation Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said the two countries are leading active dialogue in the decisive phase for Bulgaria’s EU membership.

Bulgaria relies on French co-operation for a fast conclusion of the ratification procedure, said Stanishev. French representatives said the process will end by autumn in both parliament chambers, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.

French authorities have noticed Bulgarian attempts to meet all accession criteria, delegation representatives said.

The expected visit of French president Jacques Chirac to Bulgaria will further increase the interactions between the two countries, Stanishev said. France and Bulgaria already have stable economic and cultural relations, said Stanishev.