07/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 7 September, the European Commission announced that it was prepared to release around €120 million as part of the SAPARD pre-accession instrument to Bulgaria. The funding was blocked last year due to poor administration in fund management and accusations of corruption. Almost €19 million will be released immediately once administrative procedures are concluded, explained Michael Mann, the spokesman for the agriculture commissioner. More than €90 million could also be released if Bulgaria makes the request before the end of December this year, explained Mann. (B.C./transl.rh)