Sofia, November 24 (BTA) – The European Commission report on Bulgaria’s progress in fighting organized crime and corruption, and reforming the judiciary will be harsh and a comparison with Romania will be unfavourable, Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva told a news briefing here.
Prepared under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), such reports have been issued by the EC for Bulgaria and Romania – in a package – since the two countries joined the EU in 2007.
Kuneva said that some countries continue to insist that the CVM report be paired up with the availability of structural funds for the member states but she does not expect this to turn into a decision.
The CVM report will also have implications for this country’s bid to join the Schengen area. “Even though there is no direct connection between the report and the Schengen agreement, the member states agreed in February this year that after two positive reports Romania can expect to be admitted to Schengen. Our neighbours now can insist to see this happen,” said Kuneva.
She went on to day that if the CVM works for Romania, Bulgaria has no reason to say that something is wrong with the mechanism.”The reasons [for the failures] should be sought here: in the delay of many measures [which should have been undertaken] and in the lacking political and public will.” She hopes that the first signs are visible that things are starting to change and said she would do her best to make this a lasting trend. She
singled out three things that need to be done: to elect a president of the Supreme Cassation Court and a chief judicial inspector, and start the reform in the judiciary.
“The Ministers of Justice and of the Interior are convinced that Bulgaria should again make entry in Schengen a priority and that the judicial reform should bear the fruit it has in Romania,” said the Deputy PM. She added that the government will do its best to make sure every single achievement is brought to the attention of the CVM mission expected in Bulgaria in early
December. “I will be meeting ambassadors every day – until we prepare a realistic plan to go forward,” said Kuneva. MORE
ABNA-SE
Association of the Balkan News Agencies Association