site.btaDeputy PM Simeonov Comments Measures to Tackle Demographic Crisis

Sofia, November 10 (BTA) - Speaking during Question Time in Parliament Friday, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy Valeri Simeonov said that the efforts for solving the demographic problems of Bulgaria in the next three and a half years will be focused in increasing births, reducing youth emigration and having a new immigration policy.

Simeonov dwelled in more detail on what is being planned, for example, welfare benefits for the birth of a third child, monthly financial allowance for the third child until he/she turns 18 years of age, interest-free mortgages to young people, low-interest or interest-free loans to young people with university degrees, grants for young people studying in Bulgarian or prestigious foreign universities who commit themselves to working in Bulgaria.

Simeonov spoke about a new system for selection of immigrants. In his words, the immigrants should be young people, specialists that the country needs, and able to integrate in this country. Bulgarian returnees will have advantage, he said.

The Deputy PM said that the measures will be applied in aggregate but that results cannot be expected for at least ten years.

Simeonov said that work has started together with Vice President Iliana Iotova and Justice Ministry experts on amendments to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act to reduce to six months the term for obtaining citizenship.