"I have the impression, that the cause for the teachers' strike was financed and a principal agreement had been reached," Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said.

Purvanov made his statement to journalists after the flag hoisting ceremony on November 1, BTA news agency said.

Purvanov was referring to an agreement reached between unions and Education Ministry on October 26, but which was rejected by teachers a few days later. The proposed agreement would end a month long strong in which teachers demanded a 100 per cent increase in salaries.

According to Purvanov, the agreement reached was a firm agreement, covering income of teachers and non-teaching staff and how this would be financed, as well as education reform.

Purvanov said there would surely be details to be agreed upon, but he did not think these details should be a hindrance to the continuation of the process or a reason for teachers not to go back to classes.

When asked how soon this could happen, he said it was "long overdue".