site.btaReformist Bloc Seeks President's Assistance on Key Reform Topics

Reformist Bloc Seeks President's Assistance on Key Reform Topics

Sofia, March 7 (BTA) - "We sought the President's assistance on the most important topics related to the reforms," Reformist Bloc Co-floor Leader Radan Kanev said here on Monday, emerging from consultations of the Bloc's representatives with the head of State.

Kanev said that the Reformist Bloc called on the presidential institution to take advantage of its exceedingly high prestige with the EU and NATO partners and actively secure Bulgaria's national interest in connection with the migrant crisis and the enforcement of the measures envisaged in the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report regarding justice in Bulgaria and especially in respect of the independent external supervision of the Bulgarian prosecuting magistracy.

The Co-floor Leader said that the sides considered the most important issues concerning Bulgaria's political development in 2016. The agenda was topped by the external risks, the migrant crisis, Monday's European Council meeting, and the most important reforms that must take place in Bulgaria this year, with a special emphasis on the judicial reform, the forthcoming vote in anti-corruption legislation, foreign policy and security, defence, health care and education.

"What matters to me is that both the President and we as a political force and our ministers work in the same direction, which is the most important direction for Bulgaria: our Euro-Atlantic orientation," said Reformist Bloc Co-floor Leader Nayden Zelenogorski. "The problems concerning the migrant crisis, the problems concerning national security, and the problems concerning Schengen all depend on the common decision of the European leaders," Zelenogorski said. In his words, other important issues as well were raised at the consultations, including the proposed amendments to the Election Code, education and the legislation that regulates it, and efforts in the sphere of health care and the economy. Bulgaria's underdeveloped areas is another topic that the Co-Floor Leader stressed. "Further efforts are needed, and we got the President's support for more massive investment in projects in these backward areas," Zelenogorski said, stressing the construction of the Hemus Motorway.

"This year is decisive for both the judicial reform and for the fight against corruption. The people has long been waiting for resolute action at all levels," President Rosen Plevneliev told the Reformist Bloc leaders at the consultations, quoted by his Press Secretariat. Both sides pointed out that restoring citizens' trust in institutions requires tangible moves to combat corruption rather than mere political declarations.

"An ongoing administrative reform and the implementation of e-government are other measures that will help ease the corruption pressure. As the President put it, the public must get full information on public procurements, and it should be accessible online," the press release reads.

The head of State pointed out that this country is doing a good job protecting its borders and is among the few countries that observe migrant reception rules. He emphasized that one of the worst problems in this grave situation is the growing illicit trafficking in human beings.

According to the President, a solution to accelerating the advancement of underdeveloped areas can be sought in investment in energy efficiency, education and innovations.