site.btaCVM Monitoring LIkely to Be Replaced by Thematic Checks - PM

CVM Monitoring LIkely to Be Replaced by Thematic Checks - PM

Brussels, December 16 (BTA correspondent Nickolay Jeliazkov) - The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) whereby the European Commission monitors Bulgaria's progress in reforming its judiciary and fighting high-level corruption and organized crime, is likely to change next year and be replaced by thematic checks. This transpired after a meeting late on Thursday between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans.

Borissov told Bulgarian reporters covering his participation in the European Council meeting in Brussels, that the CVM report due in January would not be the last one. "I hope that our efforts are appreciated and the effect will be very good, if we stick to the same course," he added. "I am talking about scrapping the CVM and have it replaced by what all other European countries have: thematic checks or case-by-case checks. This will change the mechanism into what is applicable for all countries."

Borissov also said that Timmermans insists to visit Bulgaria in February and "explain what role the outgoing government has had and everything that has been done during its tenure".

Borissov was reluctant to answer questions about who Bulgaria would nominate to fill the seat in the European Commission after Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva announced she is leaving it for a job with the Central Bank.

His comment was that either the nomination should be made with a huge consensus in Parliament or should be made by the next regular government. "The law allows me to send somebody but this is not right," Borissov said. He believes that Georgieva's successor should be a woman.