Subject: HEADLINE december 18, 1995


Dec 18 (Reuter) - An ageing nuclear plant that supplies nearly
half of Bulgaria's energy could affect Sofia's efforts to join
the European Union, a visiting French minister said. France's
minister for European affairs Michel Barnier told a news
conference: "Without wishing to point a finger at anyone, I
must say (the nuclear issue) is an important one...and could
be a determining factor in the process of EU enlargement."
Bulgaria on Saturday became the eighth ex-communist country in
eastern and central Europe to apply for full EU membership.
Barnier said Bulgarian deputy prime minister Kiril Tsochev had
told him the reactor would be closed in April for further
checks, but informed sources said this did not mean it would
be shut down permanently.