site.btaDeputy PM Kuneva Discusses Opportunities for Anti-Corruption Policy Cooperation with Britain

Deputy PM Kuneva Discusses Opportunities for Anti-Corruption Policy Cooperation with Britain

London/Sofia, March 9 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European policies coordination and institutional affairs Meglena Kuneva conferred in London late on Tuesday with Minister Matthew Hancock and the UK Government Anti-Corruption Champion, Eric Pickles, to discuss the opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and Britain in anti-corruption policies, Cabinet's press service reported on Wednesday.

Kuneva presented the draft legislation for preventing corruption among high-level public officials, adding that additional legislative changes provide for enhancing the role of inspectorates in preventing and identifying corruption among the mid-level administration. Anti-corruption education was also discussed.

Kuneva and Hancock also discussed the upcoming UK-Estonia-Bulgaria Trio Presidency of the EU in 2017-2018. The Deputy Prime Minister commented that migration and security will continue to have a leading role among the Trio Presidency's priorities.

The forthcoming referendum in Britain about the country's EU membership was also discussed. Minister Hancock thanked for Bulgaria's constructive position, and on her part, Kuneva voiced hope that the British citizens will decide in favour of a stronger European Union. Great Britain is an integral part of the EU and remaining part of it is exceptionally important for the Union's economy and political weight, she noted.

Later on Tuesday, Kuneva took part in a conference about the challenges before the EU at London's Europe House.