Germany was going to ratify Bulgaria's EU accession treaty by the end of the year, German ambassador to Bulgaria Michael Geier said.

During his first news conference as head of the German diplomatic mission Geier said that his country supported Bulgaria's on-time EU entry on January 1 2007.

During the German presidency of the union priority was going to be placed on the Western Balkans region, Geier said.

The German business community praised the European Commission recommendation for the on-time accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the union, Geier said.

German investment in Bulgaria was increasing and also opened new work places, which signified long-term commitment, the ambassador said.

Germany, France and Denmark are the three countries that have not ratified Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession treaty yet. To become union members, the two countries need treaty approval from all previous member states, Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.