European Union Welcomes Release of Bulgarian Nurses and Doctor

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy today welcomed the release and return to Bulgaria of the five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor who had been detained in Libya for more than eight years in connection with the HIV/AIDs infection of Libyan children at a Benghazi hospital in 1999. President Barroso and President Sarkozy saluted the humanitarian gesture of Libya and expressed gratitude to Qatar for mediation. They committed to continue to help the "Benghazi children" in Libya suffering from AIDS.

EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Ms. Cécilia Sarkozy, wife of the French President, traveled to Libya and returned with the medical personnel to Sofia, Bulgaria. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said, "I share the joy of their families and friends and of the government and people of Bulgaria. For over eight years, we have never forgotten the suffering of the medical staff who have shown such dignity and fortitude during their long ordeal. This excellent outcome is the result of sustained joint efforts by the EU bringing together the Bulgarian authorities, consecutive EU presidencies, and a number of other Member States."

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