site.btaDeputy PM Kuneva: EC Report on Counter-Corruption, Judicial Reform Will Be Tough, Comparison with Romania will be Unfavourable
NW 15:25:02 24-11-2014
SN1524NW.117
117 POLITICS - BULGARIA - EC - CVM - DEPUTY PM KUNEVA
Deputy PM Kuneva: EC Report on Counter-Corruption,
Judicial Reform Will Be Tough, Comparison
with Romania will be Unfavourable
Sofia, November 24 (BTA) - The European Commission report on
Bulgaria's progress in fighting organized crime and corruption,
and reforming the judiciary will be tough and a comparison with
Romania will be unfavourable, Deputy Prime Minister Meglena
Kuneva told a news briefing here.
Prepared under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM),
such reports have been issued by the EC for Bulgaria and
Romania - in a package - since the two countries joined the EU
in 2007.
Kuneva said that some countries continue to insist that the CVM
report be paired up with the availability of structural funds
for the member states but she does not expect this to turn into
a decision.
The CVM report will also have implications for this country's
bid to join the Schengen area. "Even though there is no direct
connection between the report and the Schengen agreement, the
member states agreed in February this year that after two
positive reports Romania can expect to be admitted to Schengen.
Our neighbours now can insist to see this happen," said Kuneva.
She went on to day that if the CVM works for Romania, Bulgaria
has no reason to say that something is wrong with the mechanism.
"The reasons [for the failures] should be sought here: in the
delay of many measures [which should have been undertaken] and
in the lacking political and public will." She hopes that the
first signs are visible that things are starting to change and
said she would do her best to make this a lasting trend. She
singled out three things that need to be done: to elect a
president of the Supreme Cassation Court and a chief judicial
inspector, and start the reform in the judiciary.
"The Ministers of Justice and of the Interior are convinced that
Bulgaria should again make entry in Schengen a priority and
that the judicial reform should bear the fruit it has in
Romania," said the Deputy PM. She added that the government will
do its best to make sure every single achievement is brought to
the attention of the CVM mission expected in Bulgaria in early
December. "I will be meeting ambassadors every day - until we
prepare a realistic plan to go forward," said Kuneva.
"Schengen is not just the name of a tiny town. Schengen is
economy, jobs, incomes and GDP growth. When Romania opens its
air border, many people will choose to fly from Bucharest and
then they open their ports, Bulgarian ports will feel that in
their economic performance," Kuneva commented.
European Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva told the press in
Brussels Monday that the new EC intends to preserve the
monitoring mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania. Reports will be
prepared once a year. She said the upcoming CVM report is due
early in 2015 but would not set a specific date.
Last week Kuneva said that Bulgaria absolutely has to deal with
this monitoring mechanism and that it is a burden for the
economy. "The moment Bulgarian people say they are happy with
the Bulgarian justice and security, the very next day I will
make sure the monitoring mechanism is scrapped," she said.
Bulgarian Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov expects the CVM report
in the second half of January 2015. /LN/
/СН/
SN1524NW.117
117 POLITICS - BULGARIA - EC - CVM - DEPUTY PM KUNEVA
Deputy PM Kuneva: EC Report on Counter-Corruption,
Judicial Reform Will Be Tough, Comparison
with Romania will be Unfavourable
Sofia, November 24 (BTA) - The European Commission report on
Bulgaria's progress in fighting organized crime and corruption,
and reforming the judiciary will be tough and a comparison with
Romania will be unfavourable, Deputy Prime Minister Meglena
Kuneva told a news briefing here.
Prepared under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM),
such reports have been issued by the EC for Bulgaria and
Romania - in a package - since the two countries joined the EU
in 2007.
Kuneva said that some countries continue to insist that the CVM
report be paired up with the availability of structural funds
for the member states but she does not expect this to turn into
a decision.
The CVM report will also have implications for this country's
bid to join the Schengen area. "Even though there is no direct
connection between the report and the Schengen agreement, the
member states agreed in February this year that after two
positive reports Romania can expect to be admitted to Schengen.
Our neighbours now can insist to see this happen," said Kuneva.
She went on to day that if the CVM works for Romania, Bulgaria
has no reason to say that something is wrong with the mechanism.
"The reasons [for the failures] should be sought here: in the
delay of many measures [which should have been undertaken] and
in the lacking political and public will." She hopes that the
first signs are visible that things are starting to change and
said she would do her best to make this a lasting trend. She
singled out three things that need to be done: to elect a
president of the Supreme Cassation Court and a chief judicial
inspector, and start the reform in the judiciary.
"The Ministers of Justice and of the Interior are convinced that
Bulgaria should again make entry in Schengen a priority and
that the judicial reform should bear the fruit it has in
Romania," said the Deputy PM. She added that the government will
do its best to make sure every single achievement is brought to
the attention of the CVM mission expected in Bulgaria in early
December. "I will be meeting ambassadors every day - until we
prepare a realistic plan to go forward," said Kuneva.
"Schengen is not just the name of a tiny town. Schengen is
economy, jobs, incomes and GDP growth. When Romania opens its
air border, many people will choose to fly from Bucharest and
then they open their ports, Bulgarian ports will feel that in
their economic performance," Kuneva commented.
European Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva told the press in
Brussels Monday that the new EC intends to preserve the
monitoring mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania. Reports will be
prepared once a year. She said the upcoming CVM report is due
early in 2015 but would not set a specific date.
Last week Kuneva said that Bulgaria absolutely has to deal with
this monitoring mechanism and that it is a burden for the
economy. "The moment Bulgarian people say they are happy with
the Bulgarian justice and security, the very next day I will
make sure the monitoring mechanism is scrapped," she said.
Bulgarian Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov expects the CVM report
in the second half of January 2015. /LN/
/СН/
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