site.btaMinister Slavov Briefs Commissioner Reynders on Implementation of Recommendations in Rule of Law Report

Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov briefed EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders on the reform of the judiciary in relation to the recommendations of the European Commission in its report on the rule of law. The two held talks during Reynders' two-day visit to Bulgaria, the press centre of the Ministry of Justice said here on Friday.

Minister Slavov highlighted the changes made in the Constitution related to the judiciary, which are the result of the long-standing recommendations of the Venice Commission. Emphasis was placed on the new balance in the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council, providing for a majority of judges elected by judges, which guarantees their independence. Slavov and Reynders discussed improving the efficiency of the prosecution, emphasising two key requirements - independence and accountability. The Minister of Justice explained the main changes in the powers of the Prosecutor General, as well as the new ratio between the public and professional quota in the Supreme Prosecutorial Council.

They both agreed that the next huge step in implementing the recommendations is the actual implementation of the legal changes. And the first serious test of their effectiveness will be the election of members of the new anti-corruption commission.

Slavov also informed Commissioner Reynders about the upcoming changes in the Criminal Code related to the indictment of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Ukraine. Slavov also said that after Thursday's talks with the President of Eurojust in The Hague, Bulgaria will take the necessary steps to join the International Centre for the Prosecution of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA), as well as the Joint Investigation Teams (JIT), by actively collecting and analysing data, and carrying out investigations on war crimes in Ukraine.