site.btaJustice Minister Tsacheva: "Rules Will Guarantee Investigation of Prosecutor General, Supreme Courts' Presidents"

Sofia, August 4 (BTA) - Rules will be laid down to guarantee the investigation of the Prosecutor General and the presidents of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court, Bulgarian Justice Minister Tsetska Tsacheva said here on Friday, presenting the priorities of the Government's governance programme in the justice sector.

Tsacheva explained that the independent analysis of the structural and functional model of the Bulgarian prosecution service and its independence, prepared by a mission of the EU Structural Reform and Support Service, does not propose the separation of the investigation service from the prosecution service so that it could investigate the Prosecutor General. The roadmaps, developed after the analysis and incorporated into the Updated Strategy to Continue the Reform of the Judicial System, however include a measure on the laying down of rules to guarantee the investigation of the "top three" in the judicial system, the Justice Minister said.

The matter is being discussed jointly with the prosecution service and the Supreme Judicial Council, Tsacheva specified, adding that a working group will be formed shortly to draw up the rules in question.

The Justice Minister listed the highlights concerning her sector in the governance programme: ensuring effective, quick and fair administration of justice, implementing the Updated Strategy for the judicial reform, establishing an institutional procedure and mechanism for countercorruption, easing the administrative burden on individuals and companies, and e-justice.

Tsacheva commented that the preparation for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council proceeds on schedule. She added that the European Parliament will adopt the Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) this coming autumn, and work on the EPPO structure, functions and financing mechanism will take place during the Bulgarian Presidency.