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The labour restrictions for Bulgarians are temporary

Bulgaria is not a new country for Great Britain's ambassador Steve Williams. He worked for the British Embassy in Sofia from 1984 till 1987 as second secretary. He speaks and reads Bulgarian. His career in Foreign Office started in 1981. Before his term of office as Britain's ambassador to Bulgaria, Mr Williams worked as head of America department with Britain's Foreign Office. Mr. Williams was in charge of Latin America and Caribbean Basin department. He was deputy ambassador in Buenos Aires. Mr Williams worked in the permanent office of the UK in Brussels from 1995 till 1998. He was a consultant in Barclays bank. HE Williams is married with two daughters and a son
Photo Atina Pavlova - Your Excellency, welcome to Bulgaria for the second time, now as UK's ambassador to this country. How do you feel?
- I am very excited. It is an honour and privilege to me to be the UK ambassador to Bulgaria. Because I am again in a country with which Great Britain has very important, rich and deep relations.
- I will ask you straight away about the hot issue of the day. London has extended the restriction term for low-skilled Bulgarian and Romanian workers. Yesterday, The Financial Times called this measure "counter-productive". British employers reckon that the ban on the Bulgarian and Romanian workers is not a benefit for UK economy. How would you comment it?
- The decision was taken after a thorough analysis of the British labour market. Consultations have been held with the concerned professional circles. The general analysis of immigration from Central and Eastern Europe demonstrates that it influences the economy positively. On the other hand, it indicated that in certain sectors, like public services for instance, pressure is exerted. For this reason the government had to take a well-grounded decision based on the analysis of all factors. A sensible and balanced decision was taken. It envisages keeping restrictions for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens till better analysis is made of the effect of their stay in the UK. 
- Many Bulgarians wonder why no one restricts British citizens when it comes to purchasing real estates in Bulgaria or working and settling here permanently, while London levies restrictions? 
- I would like to emphasize that Britain does not restrict visits of Bulgarians to the UK. The restrictions in question are not permanent. There are many Bulgarians who live and work in the UK.
- Is this a part of the process of real EU integration. How would you comment on Bulgaria's first year as a EU member? Are all requirements to the process of reforms being met?
- First of all, I would like to congratulate Bulgaria on its EU accession. This has been a huge achievement for the country. And it is very important for the EU development. In the first ten months of its membership Bulgaria has proved it was a worthy EU member. Great Britain highly appreciates that. I can give as an example Bulgaria's experience with countries from the Black Sea region and the Western Balkans. 
-  What are the expected developments in the Bulgarian-British relations?
- I would say that the differentiation between bilateral and European relations is artificial, because they complement each other. But if it's the trade relations between the two states that are in question, the general tendencies are very positive and there is a great potential for their development. I would like to mention the relations in culture and education. The British Council in Bulgaria plays a very important part. This is another sphere where we see real progress. Tourism and interpersonal relations are producing excellent results, too. The tourist exchange between the two countries is growing every year. Almost half a million Britons visited Bulgaria in 2006.
- You have not visited Bulgaria for 24 years, how does this country look to you now?
- I left Bulgaria in 1987. This is my first visit since then. It seems incredible that twenty years later the country is a EU and NATO member. The change is both dramatic and wonderful. It's only two weeks after my arrival in Bulgaria and I wouldn't like to jump at conclusions, but the obvious changes that I notice - the dynamic city life, the shops, the markets and the typical Mediterranean culture in the street cafes - really impress me. I see a great progress.
   
Lyubomir Mihaylov