In relation with some news released by the media that the European Commission brings in question the quality of statistical information on government debt and deficit, the National Statistical Institute makes the following clarification:

The National Statistical Institute prepares and submits statistical information on Bulgarian government deficit and debt in accordance with the recommendations and principles laid down in the Manual on Government Deficit and Debt, prepared by Eurostat. The regular provision of these data to Eurostat is done in March and September. The process is followed by a verification mechanism for data quality according to the recommendations of the Manual. After the verification procedure, the data are officially published. The last data on deficit and debt were submitted to Eurostat in March 2010. After the approval of Eurostat, they were officially published both on the websites of NSI and Eurostat on 22 April 2010.

It should be noted that according to the current Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community, regular Eurostat missions on monitoring statistical data on deficit and debt are carried out to each country.

The last such mission to Bulgaria was carried out in March 2008. This year a new regular mission was envisaged in March 2010, but was postponed by Eurostat due to unexpected engagements of the relevant experts. The new dates of the regular dialogue visit will be agreed with Eurostat.