site.btaReynders Supports Idea to Hold Broad Discussion on Common European Mechanism to Fight Corruption

Sofia, June 18 (BTA) - European Justice Commissioner Didier
Reynders supported the idea of Bulgarian caretaker Justice
Minister Yanaki Stoilov to open a broad discussion about a
common European mechanism to fight corruption in relation to
foreign juristic acts regarding persons involved in money
laundering, organized crime and corruption.

This was one of the topics the two discussed on Thursday evening
 in a video conference talk, the Justice Ministry reported on
Friday.

Commissioner Reynders was satisfied with the good cooperation
between the European Commission and Bulgaria's caretaker
government. He welcomed the inclusion of e-justice in this
country's National Recovery and Resilience Plan that is
currently being finalized by the Council of Ministers, and urged
 for better connectivity between Bulgarian and European
registers. He underscored the need to speed up the information
exchange between Bulgaria's criminal records systems and the
European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS).

The Commissioner reacted positively to the presented information
 about the debate organized by the Ministry on Bulgaria's new
judicial map. He proposed that it should be drawn up in
collaboration with the Venice Commission.

Didier Reynders concurred with Minister Stoilov that the final
adoption of the new judicial map must take place after the new
National Assembly is formed. Stoilov pointed out that the topic
is of great public importance, as the current judicial reform
model envisages the closure of over 50 regional courts across
Bulgaria.

Minister Stoilov talked about the need for public analysis of
the specialised courts in Bulgaria. He said that he has
requested data about the activity of these institutions, and
some have already provided the information which is to be
analysed by the Justice Ministry.

Stoilov and Reynders also discussed the results of European
Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi's recent visit to Bulgaria.
Stoilov confirmed that following her visit the Supreme Judicial
Council has started a procedure to elect six delegated
prosecutors, as agreed.

NV/MT