EU membership seems to be by far the most discussed point on East European Countries (EECs) agenda. For some it is a chimera yet too far away, for others a panacea for all problems, still for others a necessary step towards the assertion of substantial political, economic, and social development. Fortunately, over the years Bulgaria has joined the group of the latter, although the case has not always been such. In the past decade and a half, the country underwent a problematic and difficult transition period after the end of the Communist regime in the Eastern bloc. The country was characterized by political instability, slow and inconsistent economic reforms, and ineffective macroeconomic stabilization. In addition, the levels of economic development and living standard were considerably low, as was the market and technological infrastructure and the legal institutions. Only after the 2000 elections, Bulgaria...