30/05/2018 (Agence Europe) – The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament representatives did not reach an agreement on the evening of Wednesday 30 May on a compromise on the draft regulation for setting up a mutual recognition mechanism for decisions taken by the member states to freeze and confiscate criminal assets. As previously announced in EUROPE 12027, one of the last questions that needs to be resolved involves the inclusion into the text of a non-recognition and non-implementation clause for freezing and confiscating criminal assets, based on the non-respect of fundamental rights - a categorical “redline” for Parliament which the Bulgarian Presidency looked like it would put on the table for a compromise. Further negotiations will therefore continue and a new political trialogue is planned for June. (MF)