the operation of the working party on Bulgaria's accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) were overcome in February this vear. Since we submitted our application in March to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, t:he procedure has already gained momentum. The signing of the agreement between Bulgaria and the European Economic Community (EEC) in May this year will create new opportunities for broader co-operation with the Communitv. In general, we view our increased participation in multilateral economic co-operation as an important dimension of our. efforts to ensure the implementation of the ongoing reforms. Bulgaria is for the strengthening of the role of the United Nations as a universal institution for co-ordinating joint actions aimed at harmonizing international economic co-operation. I should therefore like to express our confidence that the current special session of the General Assembly will make a substantial contribution to the process of strenqtheninq multilateral economic co-operation. Mr. WAKIL (Afghanistan): At the very outset I should like to convey to Ambassador Joseph Garba my warmest congratulations on his election as President of the General Assembly's special session on international economic co-operation. His experience and competence and his successful and wise leadership of the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly, the special session on apartheid and ' the seventeenth special session demonstrate that the Present special session will be crowned wi.th great success. BCT/ASW A/S-18/PV. 8 42 (Mr. Wakil; Afghanistan} It gives ~ great pleasure to welcome the independent State of Namibia among us. We pay a tribute to its heroic people and are proud that they always had our full support and solidarity during their national struggle. The convening of the General Assembly in a special session on international economic co-operation, in particular the acceleration of the economic development 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by a representative of Bulgaria, discussing the country's participation in international economic cooperation and its efforts to implement reforms. The speech mentions specific organizations such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank, which suggests a focus on economic development and international trade.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development