site.btaEuropean Council Calls for Unequivocal Political Support for Reforms and Actions in Fulfilling Recommendations in Latest CVM Report

European Council Calls for Unequivocal Political Support for Reforms and Actions in Fulfilling
Recommendations in Latest CVM Report

Brussels, March 8 (BTA) - Making public Wednesday its conclusions on the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) whereby the European Commission monitors the progress of Bulgaria and Romania in reforming their judicial systems and fighting high-level corruption and organized crime, the European Council reiterated the need for broad and unequivocal political support for reforms and effective implementation of the recommendations in the latest CVM report released in early 2017.

The Council acknowledges that some encouraging steps have been taken towards the fulfilment of the benchmarks set for Bulgaria but says that "overall progress in Bulgaria needs to be accelerated urgently".

The document mentions of "notable positive legislative developments with regard to judicial reform" and "a substantial progress made in the fight against organized crime". "Ensuring the continued implementation of the important comprehensive reform strategies on judicial reform and on anti-corruption, the building of convincing track records and the monitoring of further concrete results remain key."

The Council welcomes the political commitment to reforms expressed by the Bulgarian government but says that "a consolidation and reinforcement of overall political resolve is needed to fully address all these recommendations". It adds that it looks forward to concrete steps and "tangible, irreversible progress" ahead of the next Commission report.

The Council conclusions recall the key remaining steps to ensure that the objectives of the Mechanism are fully met by Bulgaria. With regard to judicial reform, among these steps are efforts that should be made to ensure a transparent election of the future Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), to establish a track record of transparent and merit-based appointments to high-level judicial posts, to improve the functioning of the Judicial Inspectorate, to further improve the activity of the Prosecution Service, and to strengthen the legal framework for the prosecution of high-level corruption and serious organized crime.

The fight against corruption, particularly at high-level, needs to be stepped up. Amongst the measures to be adopted is a new legal framework on the fight against corruption, including the setting up of an effective anti-corruption authority. The law on public administration should be reformed, notably to ensure a strengthening of internal inspectorates. To establish a track record of final court decisions on convictions and their enforcement in the area of anti-corruption, Bulgaria should address current shortcomings, and establish a mechanism for public reporting on progress (investigations, indictments, convictions, and enforcement) in high-level cases already in the public domain. Further measures to enhance prevention and tackle corruption at local level, including in the area of public procurement, are also required.