site.btaEuropean Experts Start Analysis on Bulgarian Prosecuting Magistracy

European Experts Start  Analysis on Bulgarian Prosecuting Magistracy

Brussels, May 19 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Four European prosecutors will arrive on May 30 to conduct an analysis of the Bulgarian prosecuting magistracy, Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva told Bulgarian journalists here on Thursday.

Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov were received on Wednesday by the European Commission's First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner Vera Jourova. The meeting took place as part of the ongoing dialogue between the Bulgarian authorities and the Commission under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM).

Zaharieva explained that the experts will analyse the Bulgarian prosecuting magistracy as part of the EC Structural Reform Support Service's activities, describing the analysis as a development under the CVM.

Tsatsatov said that an agreement will be signed in the next few days with the EC service responsible for the organization of the analysis. He explained that the assessment will be made by acting prosecutors from Britain, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, who have experience in investigating serious crimes and prosecution office administration. There will be a few missions, each being a few days long. The experts will complete the report by the end of December, so that the findings can be included in the EC's next CVM report. Tsatsarov promised that the European prosecutors will not be denied anything which they request from the Bulgarian authorities.

The Commission values and believes in this Government's sincere political will to solve the problems, said Buchvarova. The EC also takes into account the fact that the process that will lead to results is starting. Buchvarova said that she sees such an attitude by the EC as very encouraging for the Government's subsequent efforts.

Zaharieva noted that the discussions at the EC have focused on the judicial reform strategy's progress, the results from the first Judiciary Act amendment and the upcoming changes, which include dividing the Supreme Judicial Council into two colleges and amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Among the results desired from Bulgaria are speedy trials and fighting corruption, the Minister explained. According to her, Timmermans and Jourova have voiced satisfaction with the rate at which change is occurring and the efforts which the Bulgarian Government is making.

Zaharieva said that both sides agree that the CVM should not be used for internal political purposes, as this is an obstacle for the EC's partnership. Tsatsarov added that using the Mechanism for such purposes is unacceptable and has nothing to do with its nature and the Commission's views.

According to the Prosecutor General, meeting the CVM objectives is a common goal, which can not be achieved without efforts and results from all institutions. He said that lifting the CVM requires joint efforts from all authorities and can not happen by itself.