site.btaPresident Radev Meets with UNICEF Representative for Bulgaria Muita

September 12 (BTA) - Meeting here on Wednesday, President
 Rumen Radev and the UNICEF Representative for Bulgaria, Dr.
Jane Muita, agreed that the institutions' efforts should be
focused on supporting parents, improving the social environment,
 increasing incomes and improving the access to healthcare and
education, the head of State's press secretariat said.

Radev described as a challenge facing Bulgaria the big share of
children at risk of poverty and not covered by the education
system, which requires the turning of these problems into a
priority of the State's policy.

Dr. Muita underscored Bulgaria's contribution within UNICEF to
the implementation of the international organization's policies
directed at children's development and the effective observation
 of their rights. She also stressed the significance of the
efforts at full educational integration and socialization of
children with disabilities.
    
The President and his guest agreed that Bulgaria has made
significant progress in deinstitutionalization and returning
children to a family environment. Since the start of the
deinstitutionalization in this country, the number of children
at specialized institutions has dropped tenfold and the process
is expected to end ahead of schedule next year.

RY/DS

/ДЛ/