PM Denkov: Every Transition Needs Heroes That Fill Justice System with Substance

UPDATED PM Denkov: Every Transition Needs Heroes That Fill Justice System with Substance

Momchil Rusev

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi on November 9 in Sofia (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

09.11.2023 10:20 | UPDATED 09.11.2023 10:32

(BTA)

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov took part in the Anti-Corruption, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security Forum in Sofia on Thursday. European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi is also present at the event, which is organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy.

"One of the pillars of civilization is the justice system. In any successful transition there is a need for brave heroes to fill the justice structures with substance," Denkov said and added that, unfortunately, Bulgaria failed to find its Falcone [Italian judge and prosecuting magistrate who spent most of his professional life trying to overthrow the power of the Sicilian Mafia] and its Kоvesi.

However, he stressed that Bulgaria had made some progress on the rule of law issue and that Bulgaria's progress on legislative amendments is aligned with the highest European standards..

"In the last year, under pressure from outside the country and with the clear realization that things cannot carry on like this anymore, Bulgaria has made remarkable changes in terms of laws, structures that should fight corruption, as well as structures that should make us a modern and developed European country. We are still looking for our heroes to lead these structures and to say: 'No more',” Denkov pointed out.

“That is why it is very valuable that Laura Kovesi is visiting Bulgaria again. Firstly, to inspire us that we must continue to work in this direction. Secondly, to share her experience on how we can be much more effective. Third, so we can discuss again, together with Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel later today, what we can do to work even more effectively", the Prime Minister said in his speech at the Forum.

"We are still in the middle of this process, with important votes to come in the next five or six weeks. I hope that the National Assembly will be at the level we all expect," he added. "If we succeed, we will go into a completely different orbit of our European development. The government will work for this," Denkov concluded.

The event is also attended by Justice Minister Atanas Slavov, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, Interior Ministry Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev, representatives of the Bulgarian office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and others.

/MR/