The President of the Bulgarian National Assembly Tsveta Karayancheva who is paying an official visit to Finland met with the Speaker of The Parliament of Finland Paula Risikko. Tsveta Karayancheva and Paula Risikko voiced confidence that the active bilateral dialogue contributes significantly to the successful cooperation in the fields of trade and economic relations. Bulgaria and Finland should promote cultural and educational exchange, in order to expand direct contacts and enable the citizens of Finland to learn more about the Bulgarian traditions and the Bulgaria-Finland common history, Karayancheva and Risikko agreed. Bulgaria fulfilled the technical criteria for Schengen accession long ago and must become part of Schengen soon, Tsveta Karayancheva said. Bulgaria relies on Finland to support the abolishment of the EC Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria, the President of the Bulgarian National Assembly Tsveta Karayancheva also said.