02.4.2007

JUSTICE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORMS IN BULGARIA GIVE RESULTS- CABINET

Bulgaria’s Cabinet registered improvement in the functioning of the judicial system and in internal order, a report sent to the European Commission said.

The report was based on “positive data” from the Centre for the Study of Democracy and Transparency International, mediapool.bg said.

According to the report corruption in Bulgaria’s business sector decreased by 50 per cent in March 2007 as compared to the figures for November 2005. Lower corruption was registered in state administration too.

Three groups of EC experts will visit Bulgaria in April 2007 to revise the data in the report. EC will present a report on Bulgaria’s improvement in the field in June 2007.

EU decided to prolong the monitoring on some key fields in Bulgaria and Romania after the EU accession of the two countries on January 1 2007.

If the countries fail to achieve progress in the monitored areas, they may be subjected to safeguard clauses or financial sanctions.