Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA416
2009-07-30 14:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA: NEW PM DOWNBEAT ON ECONOMY
how-toVZCZCXRO0260 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHSF #0416 2111451 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301451Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6213 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000416
SIPDIS E.O. 12958:DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PGOVECONPRELBU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NEW PM DOWNBEAT ON ECONOMY
Classified by: CDA Susan Sutton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000416
SIPDIS E.O. 12958:DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PGOVECONPRELBU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NEW PM DOWNBEAT ON ECONOMY
Classified by: CDA Susan Sutton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) In a brief farewell call on new Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
July 29, Ambassador McEldowney delivered President Obama's letter of
congratulations and promised U.S. support and assistance to the new
government. Borissov gave a somber assessment of Bulgaria's economy,
saying his Finance Minister had just announced that the government had
inherited an 11 percent budget deficit from the outgoing administration
To complicate matters, the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) is seeking
the immediate return of an additional 65 million euros in EU funds due
to irregularities and misuse. Borissov said unemployment was on the
rise as Bulgarians who had been working in Spain, Italy and other
European countries were streaming back in search of employment. The
tasks ahead of him, he said, seemed daunting.
2.(C) The Ambassador acknowledged the pain that will come from the
needed budget cuts, but urged the PM to use the opportunity to take the
comprehensive steps needed to overhaul the economy so that it emerges
from the financial crisis stronger and more competitive. Among the
steps required are improving the investment climate by offering creativ
incentive packages to foreign investors, solving investment disputes
left over from the last government and strengthening IPR protections.
3.(C) Comment: Borissov and his GERB party swept into power July 5 on
an anti-corruption platform. Borissov has placed trusted confidants an
reform-minded professionals in ministries that must deliver on GERB's
rule of law promises. But as much as he would like to focus on fighting
organized crime and ridding Bulgaria of its "bad boy" image, it is the
economy that will require more of the PM's effort and attention. New
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Simeon Dyankov must find
USD 1.9 billion in immediate budget cuts to end the year with a balance
budget, a critical step for a country where investor and public
confidence has depended on the government's fiscal responsibility. The
needed cuts will not only be painful -- they may also be an obstacle to
GERB's reform agenda.
SUTTON
SIPDIS E.O. 12958:DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PGOVECONPRELBU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NEW PM DOWNBEAT ON ECONOMY
Classified by: CDA Susan Sutton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) In a brief farewell call on new Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
July 29, Ambassador McEldowney delivered President Obama's letter of
congratulations and promised U.S. support and assistance to the new
government. Borissov gave a somber assessment of Bulgaria's economy,
saying his Finance Minister had just announced that the government had
inherited an 11 percent budget deficit from the outgoing administration
To complicate matters, the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) is seeking
the immediate return of an additional 65 million euros in EU funds due
to irregularities and misuse. Borissov said unemployment was on the
rise as Bulgarians who had been working in Spain, Italy and other
European countries were streaming back in search of employment. The
tasks ahead of him, he said, seemed daunting.
2.(C) The Ambassador acknowledged the pain that will come from the
needed budget cuts, but urged the PM to use the opportunity to take the
comprehensive steps needed to overhaul the economy so that it emerges
from the financial crisis stronger and more competitive. Among the
steps required are improving the investment climate by offering creativ
incentive packages to foreign investors, solving investment disputes
left over from the last government and strengthening IPR protections.
3.(C) Comment: Borissov and his GERB party swept into power July 5 on
an anti-corruption platform. Borissov has placed trusted confidants an
reform-minded professionals in ministries that must deliver on GERB's
rule of law promises. But as much as he would like to focus on fighting
organized crime and ridding Bulgaria of its "bad boy" image, it is the
economy that will require more of the PM's effort and attention. New
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Simeon Dyankov must find
USD 1.9 billion in immediate budget cuts to end the year with a balance
budget, a critical step for a country where investor and public
confidence has depended on the government's fiscal responsibility. The
needed cuts will not only be painful -- they may also be an obstacle to
GERB's reform agenda.
SUTTON