On 14 July 2008, Mr. Heinrich Brüngger – Director of the Statistical Division in UNECE and Ms. Lidia Bratanova – Deputy Director of the same division were on their official mission to BNSI. It was carried out in connection with the NSI initiated amendments to the Law on Statistics.

In the presence of NSI Top Management and experts, representatives of the academic society and different institutions, the BNB, the mass media and statisticians, Mr. Heinrich Brüngger delivered a presentation on “The Role of Official Statistics in a Democratic Society”. Main stress in his presentation was put on the statistical information reliability, the fundamental principles of official statistics and the development of the National Statistical Programme.

During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Mariana Kotzeva – BNSI President mentioned that a strategic priority in the Institute’s activity is the more active participation of BNSI in international statistical forums. First step in this direction is the intensive participation of Bulgarian experts in UN Working Groups and other international organizations. Our statistics, having 128 years ‘history has contributed actively to the development of the global statistical theory and practice.

The BNSI announced its intention to play the leading role and finalize the initiative on creating a common form of cooperation of official statistics in the Balkan region. On 5 and 6 September 2008 Bulgaria hosted a meeting “without ties”, at which the future cooperation was discussed and a plan for the development of the region in the field of statistics was outlined.

The Agenda of the official mission of Mr. Heinrich Brüngger includes also meetings with the economic team of Mr Georgui Parvanov - President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Iordan Tsonev - Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee to the Parliament and with Mr. Dimitar Kostov - the BNB Deputy Governor.