Bulgaria's Political and Economic Transformation

H.E.  Nikolai Vassilev
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Republic of Bulgaria

Photos

Cambridge, MA — History was made today when H.E. Nikolay Vassilev became the first Bulgarian minister to give a public lecture at Harvard University.  During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Vassilev was also received by the Associate Dean of the Kennedy School and the Harvard University Rector, where he signed the official University guest book and was briefed on the Bulgarian student presence at Harvard. 

Minister Vassilev spoke to a packed auditorium of students and faculty at the Harvard Business School, offering an optimistic picture of the economic and political future of Bulgaria. The lecture, which was sponsored by the Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the European Club at the Harvard Business School, stressed that the government’s economic priorities are focused on increasing investment and exports as well as continuing privatization efforts.  After recent meetings in Washington D.C., Minister Vassilev also announced that he is optimistic that the World Bank will soon grant Bulgaria a $750 million dollar (USD) stimulus package. Furthermore he expressed his hope that Bulgaria would receive an invitation to join NATO during the November 2002 Prague Summit.

Minister Vassilev also fielded numerous questions from the audience ranging from pension reforms to new tax and social policies.  He also encouraged many of the Bulgarian students present to consider returning to Bulgaria to help further the transformation of the country.  His dynamism and commitment to contributing to his country’s development served as a source of inspiration to the many students engaged in the study of leadership and public service who were present at the event.