site.btaCommissioner Vera Jourova: EU Wants to See Bulgaria's Judicial System Fight Corruption More Effectively

Sofia, January 26 (BTA) - The EU's Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner, Vera Jourova, said the European Commission wants to see Bulgaria's judicial system fight corruption and organized crime more effectively. She spoke to reporters before attending Friday's Informal Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

The idea that EU Member States should prove they have an independent judiciary to benefit from the EU budget after 2020 will continue to be discussed during Austria's EU Presidency in the second half of 2018, said Jourova.

She also said the Commission was following closely the situation in Romania where citizens are protesting against the latest judicial reform and corruption. The European Commission wants to see reforms leading to a more independent and better functioning judiciary and greater public confidence in it. The developments in Romania could cause concern that things are not moving in the right direction, she said, adding that the Commission suggested dialogue.