Brussels, 29/08/2008 (Agence Europe) - Bulgaria is to step up its fight against crime and corruption with a view to having European Union sanctions lifted, said European Commissioner for Industry Günter Verheugen during a visit to Sofia. “I call on the whole of society to oppose corruption and crime and support the government's efforts to make its administration more efficient”, he said on Wednesday 27 August during a press conference after talks with Prime Minister Sergei Stanichev. Such comments follow up those made the day before by Commissioner for Consumer Protection Meglena Kuneva (EUROPE 9727). Bulgaria and Romania, which entered the EU in 2007, come under strengthened EU supervision, especially with regard to the progress made to combat corruption and the effectiveness of the legal system. Last month, the European Commission had frozen over €500 million from EU funding earmarked for Bulgaria after investigations revealed serious irregularities in the management of the funds (EUROPE 9707). Mr Verheugen said he was “worried about Bulgaria's image” and said he hoped to hear “positive news”. The Commissioner nonetheless welcomed the progress made by Sofia in the political and economic fields, saying the country had lived up to EU expectations in several areas, especially with regard to financial stability, budgetary excess and the reduction of unemployment, according to BTA. These points are likely to receive a positive assessment in the report on Bulgaria's economic progress, to be adopted by the Commission at the end of the year. Another good piece of news, Mr Verheugen said, concerns Bulgaria's contribution to stability in the Black Sea region. (B.C./transl.jl)