site.btaBritish Experts to Assist Bulgaria with Judicial Reform

British Experts to Assist Bulgaria with Judicial Reform

Sofia, February 4 (BTA) - British experts will assist Bulgaria with the implementation of the judicial reform, said the Justice Ministry on Thursday.

The judicial reform and steps that will be taken by Bulgarian institutions to address the recommendations in the CVM report by the European Commission dominated talks between Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and her British counterpart Michael Gove in London. Zaharieva is accompanying Prime Minister Boyko Borissov who will participate in an international Syrian donor conference.

Zaharieva presented in detail a proposal by Prime Minister Borissov that EU experts should assist Bulgaria with its judicial reform which has been recognized in the EC report and by EC Vice President Frans Timmermans

Zaharieva invited British experts to assist with the reforms of the Supreme Judicial Council and the prosecution service as well.

Gove declared full support for Bulgaria in terms of EU expertise for implemented reforms and with any future steps which the country is about to take.

Zaharieva said that her team at the Justice Ministy is already working on the EU recommendations and that there is an action plan with clear deadlines, putting priority on revisions to the Judicial System Act.

The two ministers agreed to cooperate in reforming juvenile justice and penitentiary places in Bulgaria. The two discussed possibilities for concrete cooperation to improve the capacity of judicial institutions, speed of criminal proceedings and expediting criminal trials.

Zaharieva and Gove exchange views on topical issues on the European agenda including the management of migrant flows and the need for united response to challenges with a focus on strengthening external border controls.