Sofia, July 7 (BTA) - Ten non-governmental organizations of Bulgaria and Macedonia, as well as intellectuals of the two countries, Sunday established a Committee for Macedonia. Among other things, it sets itself the object of assisting the promoting educational, cultural, scientific, economic, political and human contacts between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia.

 

"We aspire to be not just another organization dealing with Bulgarian-Macedonian relations or with the new dimensions of the 'Macedonian Question.' Are are a completely voluntary organization," former MP Anatolii Velichkov, member of the Steering Committee for Establishment of the Committee for Macedonia, told a news conference.

 

The founding members of the Committee also include Prof. Mihail Ognyanov, Ivan Nikolov (editor of the "Bulgaria-Macedonia" magazine), Vlado Trenevski (intellectual from Ohrid), and the non-governmental organizations: Bulgaria-Macedonia Friendship Society, Ohrid-based Interakcija Association of Macedonians of Slav-Bulgarian Descent, Shar Students' Society, VMRO-Youth Organization, Union of Macedonian Organizations, Gotse Delchev Macedonian Cultural and Educational Association of Varna, Todor Alexandrov Youth Association of Kyustendil, and Ivan Garvanov Society of Stara Zagora.

 

The Committee for Macedonia will be organizing specific cooperation events between the two countries, Velichkov said.

 

"Despite the closeness of every kind between people on both sides of the border, the present-day relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia are not at the level at which we would like to see them and at which they could be. Our objective is to help Bulgarian and Macedonian society shed faster the ideological prejudice of the past and identify the positive shared interest that will be keeping them together in future," the Committee for Macedonia said in a declaration circulated on Sunday.

 

The Committee is planning to develop a regional network. It already has permanent representative offices in Kyustendil, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Varna, and cities of Northern Bulgaria. The Committee has representatives in London, Vienna and several US cities.

 

 

 

Cabinet Discusses 2003 Budget Framework, Less to Be Spent on Maintenance of State Bodies.

 

Sofia, July 7 (BTA) - Next year's budget will allocate larger social spending in terms of GDP share and less money for maintenance of the state bodies, Finance Minister Milen Velchev said after the Cabinet had an informal meeting at the Boyana Residence to discuss the 2003 budget and questions concerning the ministries' spending limits.

 

Velchev did not specify the distribution of budget funds by ministries. Once the ministries' spending limits are finalized, they will be made public.

 

The Finance Minister said he expects the Government to approve a bill on establishment of a Uniform Revenue Agency when it meets next on Thursday.

 

 

 

Biophysicists Say Beklemeto Locality in Balkan Range near Troyan Works Miracles.

 

Sofia, July 7 (BTA) - Bulgarian and Russian scientists will be exploring zones in Bulgaria which exert a relaxing effect.

 

Dr Ignat Ignatov, Director of the Research Centre for Biophysics, and Prof. Alexander Dubrov of the Research and Practical Centre of Traditional Medicine and Homeopathy with the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, have unvelied the Central Balkan Range - Troyan - Teteven Project, which has been formally recognized by the Bulgarian medical authorities.

 

In 2000 the scientists exlored two relaxing zones, and they found the the Beklemeto Locality near Troyan in the Balkan Range does possess energy emanating from the bowls of the earth and having a specific relaxing effect. The biophysicists describe this zone as a "miracle-working phenomenon." Similar zones have been discovered in Teteven (North Central Bulgaria) and in the village of Ravadinovo near Bourgas (on the Black Sea). The most detailed research has been done of several zones near Troyan, Ignatov said. The area of the Shipkovo village, noted for its mineral springs, also emits relaxing energy, but it is one and a half times stronger in Beklemeto.

 

The negatively ionized air of Beklemeto-Shipkovo has an excellent effect on the lungs and the nervous system. The scientists have made an analysis, recorded as an official document at Troyan Municipality. It recommends promotion of medical tourism in the region to utilize the favourable climatic factors.

 

Troyan Deputy Mayor Rozalina Rousseva confirmed that fine recreation facilities are available at the relaxing zones, where visitors can rest and recuperate.