An 18 March 1999 letter sent to the Research Directorate by the Head of Student Affairs of Paissii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv in Plovdiv states:

All Bulgarian citizens, who have graduated high school are able to apply for a higher education at Paissii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. The candidates are accepted to study at the university only if they pass the entrance exams and have the necessary score for entering the university. In this context, there are no different entrance requirements for students in regard with age, race, ethnic belonging, gender, social origin, political views, religion, including the Roma students.

All these rules are based on :

- The Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria(article 14, paragraph 1, 2, item 3, 4, 5, 6.

- The National Law for Higher Education(article 3, 4.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Paissii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv. 18 March 1999. Letter sent to the Research Directorate by the Head of Student Affairs.