site.btaJustice Minister Pavlova Attends EU Justice and Home Affairs Council

The issue of establishing and recognizing parentage after surrogacy in cross-border situations within the EU needs to be further studied and analysed to ensure a high level of protection of children's and parents‘ rights, Bulgarian Justice Minister Maria Pavlova said at the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Friday.

"The sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children are among the most serious crimes and must be combated with the widest possible instruments," Pavlova commented on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material. She added that in Bulgaria, the misuse of artificial intelligence to create lifelike child sexual abuse material is becoming subject to criminal law.

The Justice Ministry said the ministers reached a general approach on the Directive on combating corruption. Also, the ministers were informed about the work of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, and the negotiations with the US on an agreement on e-evidence in criminal proceedings.

At Thursday's meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said that Bulgaria continues to contribute responsibly to Schengen security. In his words, the country secures the area's external borders and prevents secondary movements.