site.btaTen Joint Chambers of Commerce in Bulgaria Support Judicial Reform

Ten Joint Chambers of Commerce in Bulgaria Support Judicial Reform

Sofia, January 25 (BTA) - In a letter to the Prime Minister, the four deputy prime ministers, the President, the Chair of the National Assembly, as well as to the Justice Minister, ten joint chambers of commerce in Bulgaria Monday came out with a position in support of judicial reform.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Belgium-Bulgaria-Luxembourg Business Club, the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, the British-Bulgarian Business Association, the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Spain in Bulgaria, Confindustria Bulgaria, the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria expressed their concern about the latest developments related to the implementation of the long awaited reform of the judicial system and the increasing impression, both locally and among foreign investors' circles, that there is not enough rule of law in Bulgaria.

"It is our opinion that the accumulated and unresolved problems in the judiciary are systemic and require a comprehensive approach in order to be eliminated, an approach which ought to be based on the principles of justice, the rule of law and the reform strategy approved by the National Assembly," the letter says.

The resulting feeling that the reform is not happening leads to uncertainty among investors and the economic entities operating in the country, the chambers declared. "There is a decline in the willingness to invest in Bulgaria to the benefit of other countries. If there are private investments, there will be a stronger and growing economy. This is the key to Bulgaria's development and to the successful completion of reforms in other sectors such as healthcare, education, energy and infrastructure."

"The chambers of commerce believe that the judicial system should be able to count on high quality professionals, distinguished by their impeccable morals and integrity, specialists who are familiar with the problems and have the will for change, experts working for effective and fair jurisprudence and defending justice and the good name and reputation of Bulgaria's judicial system," the letter reads further.

The chambers expressed their solidarity with the efforts to promote real change from within the judicial system, ensuring the needed independence of judges and magistrates. They believe that the latter have the knowledge and the ability to complete these very necessary reforms.

In conclusion, the undersigned chambers emphasised that no reform of the justice system would be possible without the political will to enforce the law. "The meaning of reform is not just in law-making but also in implementation and enforcement of legal norms - this will increase Bulgarian society's and business' confidence in the judicial system," the letter says.