Brussels, 06/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini welcomed Bulgaria's decision to amend its 1991 Constitution in order particularly to combat corruption in the legal system. On 2 February, the Bulgarian parliament adopted amendments to its Constitution to make the judicial system, which has been the subject of criticism by the European Commission, more efficient. “This amendment will help to improve the judiciary system and confirms the commitment of the institutions in Bulgaria to the actions necessary for further progress in the area of judicial reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption,” Mr Frattini said. 192 MPs out of 226 voted to set up a special parliament-elected inspectorate under the Supreme Judicial Council, which will be responsible for ensuring that the legal system works properly, but without infringing its independence in any way. The amendment also removes the full immunity enjoyed by judges, prosecutors and investigators, and replaces it with so-called functional immunity which only covers job-related activities. The inefficiency and slowness of the justice system in Bulgaria is one of the European Commission's major concerns. The Commission is closely monitoring the situation, and can impose a safeguard clause leading to decisions of the Bulgarian justice system not being recognised in the other EU countries (see EUROPE 9335). A Commission report on this matter is expected on 31 March. (bc)