Brussels, 21/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 January, the spokesperson for European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot called on Bulgaria to organise a concerted effort to “eradicate the almost endemic ills” of corruption and organised crime.
Mr Barrot, the European commissioner for justice, was taking part in a conference in Sofia called “Bulgaria in the European Union: two years later and the way forward”. Since their entry into the EU in 2007, Bulgaria and Romania have been closely monitored by the European Commission, owing to the inefficiency of their legal systems. The commissioner explained during the conference that “the source of the problems are known, certain groups have already been identified: they must be arrested, tried and sentenced according to the law”. According to AFP, Mr Barrot declared: “We have received numerous complaints from citizens and companies concerning allegations of corruption and dysfunction in the legal system” and “testimonies from people who are interested in Bulgaria because of its geographical strategic situation but who are worried and hesitating about investing due to the problems of corruption”. Mr Barrot stressed that the “urgency therefore lies there. Visible changes are needed. Bulgaria as a whole should act”. Last year, the EU sanctioned Bulgaria for its inability to fight corruption and crime and withdrew €220 million in aid from the country (EUROPE 9790). The vice-president also pointed out that the legal system in Bulgaria was producing “too few tangible results” and too few cases being cleared up: “Proceedings must ensue and tough sentences must be given to criminal groups that compromise security and the self-image of your country. The same applies to those guilty of corruption or of instigating it”.
Commissioner Barrot also urged reforms in the judicial system to be speeded up, particularly the review of the penal procedures code and the penal code. He criticised the “complexity and formalities” involving evidence and the “successive sending back” of cases between the different courts, which threatens, “the credibility of the criminal legal system”. He called on “the police, prosecutors and judges to be committed and beyond reproach in their combat. Those who abuse their position or are compromised in any way should be denounced and punished”. During a press conference, Barrot indicated that he did not want the safeguard clause to be invoked against Bulgaria in the justice and home affairs domain, although use of this mechanism can be triggered if deemed necessary. The commissioner affirmed that the cooperation and verification system has to help Bulgaria fulfil its obligations as a member state. He did not say, however, when this mechanism becomes obsolete. A new Commission report is expected out in February. The report is expected to be quite technical, in contrast to the more political report that will be submitted next summer.
According to the Bulgarian press agency, BTA, during his meeting with Mr Barrot, the Bulgarian prime minister, Sergey Stanichev, reaffirmed his government and institutions' goal of accomplishing far-reaching results in the fight against corruption and organised crime. He highlighted the fact that the key problem confronting Bulgaria was the lack of administrative capacity but did claim that concrete results had been achieved and complaints had been lodged. Mr Stanichev said that he hoped that his country would get a better report in February.
At the request of Mr Stanichev, the former French prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, headed a group of experts on 12 November 2008 in charge of the difficult dossiers over which Sofia has come into harsh criticism from the European Commission. This advisory council is made up of the former Spanish foreign affairs minister, Joseph Piqué i Camps, the former European commissioner for justice and home affairs, Antonio Vittorino, the former member of the European Court of Auditors, Aunus Salmi, Paul Demare, the rector of the European College of Bruges and Casimir de Dalmau, an experienced lawyer. The Bulgarian media was not slow in revealing that some of the group's members (Mr Piqué and Mr de Villepin) have had their run-ins with the law. The advisory council has a six month brief and will meet every three or four weeks in Brussels, Sofia or elsewhere in Bulgaria. After analysing the problems, the six experts will write a report containing the measures and initiative necessary for improving relations between the European institutions and Bulgaria. Mr de Villepin explained that the first task of this group is to “give advice to the Bulgarian institutions about integrating your country into the EU. We will pay special attention to administrative capacity, its efficiency and transparency during decision-making. We will also highlight the need for a business-friendly climate and the integration of local SMEs into the European and global market, as well as on teaching and human resources training in Bulgaria. Justice and internal affairs will also be examined”. (B.C./transl.rh)