The Economic and Social Council sent a congratulatory address on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the creation of the National Social Security Institute. We publish the text of the letter.

Dear Mr. Petkov,

It is an honour for me on behalf of the Economic and Social Council to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Social Security Institute.

The year 1996, when the National Social Security Institute was established, marks the beginning of modern social security, which guarantees the rights of people in the case of insurance risks. The change was a brand new one and was based on broad public support. Today, twenty years later, thanks to the efforts of all experts and employees of the NSSI and their predecessors, Bulgaria can be proud of having a modern social security system. This was also the case 135 years ago when our country was one of the few European countries that took the first steps towards creating a social security system.

The past 20 years have not been easy for the institution. The National Social Security Institute faced a number of challenges and difficulties. These were years of rethinking, of changes, of technological renewal, of controversy, but also of persistence, of dialogue and progress. Thanks to the public support and the strong expertise in the institution, the NSSI has been successfully developing and gaining our trust. Your institution is now a guarantor of public security, stability and solidarity.

Allow me to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the NSSI and to wish all those working in the social security system to look ahead, analyse, make sense, offer even better solutions for the development of the Bulgarian social security system.

Keep the spirit of good traditions in social solidarity! Work for the stability and security of the state and people.

Respectfully,

Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevski, President of the ESC