site.btaOLAF Director Talks with Interior Minister, Prosecutor General

OLAF Director Talks
with Interior
Minister, Prosecutor General


Sofia, November 18 (BTA) - European Anti-Fraud Agency (OLAF)
Director-General
Giovanni Kessler met with Interior Minister Vesselin Vouchkov
and Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov here on Tuesday.

Kessler told Vouchkov that some changes were needed regarding
Bulgaria's commitments. Vouchkov said that no specific aspects
were discussed, but that Kessler advised Sofia to read carefully
the European Commission's report due at the end of January. It
is expected to assess the performance of the Specialized Court
and the Specialized Prosecution Office, and of the Center for
Prevention and Countering Corruption and Organized Crime
(BORKOR), the Interior Minister said.

Vouchkov and Kessler did not discuss specific cases and data, it
emerged from the meeting. Bulgaria's Anti-Fraud Coordination
Service (AFCOS) will remain part of the Interior Ministry,
irrespective of the mulled reforms at the latter, said Vouchkov.

The establishment and functioning of the European Public
Prosecutor's Office with the authority to investigate and
prosecute EU fraud and other crimes affecting the Union's
financial interests is a shared goal to which a joint effort is
directed, according to Bulgaria's Prosecutor General and
Kessler.

Better interaction between the Bulgarian prosecuting magistracy
and OLAF on current cases was also discussed by Tsatsarov and
Kessler. The traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and
OLAF continue as the expert potential is strengthened at the EU
fraud combating unit with the Supreme Cassation Prosecution
Office. PK/DD


/СН/