It's a shame that the internet is a virtual medium, because there are a lot of people out there that I'd like to express my deep feelings of friendship to, and having spent the last two years here in Serbia, I'd like to do it in a truly Serbian way.
Bulgaria 'to Lose €500 million in EU Funding'
| 16 July 2008 |
The report puts more pressure on Sergey Stanishev's government
According to Reuters’ anonymous source, the European Commission on July 23 will issue three reports – one on corruption and organised crime, one on the judiciary and the other on how EU newcomers Bulgaria and Romania are managing the adoption of EU funds. The reports’ drafts are strictly confidential and even the countries’ governments are not familiar with them, Reuters reports.
Although both Balkan countries will be highly criticised for failing to tackle corruption and major problems at the judiciary, only Sofia is anticipated to face financial sanctions.
Under an investigation by the EU’s anti-corruption body, Olaf, Sofia has already been forced to freeze EU funding in three key project areas – on access to agricultural markets, technical support and road infrastructure. The funding of these projects will be lost, according to Reuters.
“Bulgaria has serious, regular problems. We’ll confirm that part of the money will be pulled out,” said Reuters’ anonymous source, adding that the sum is about € 500 million.
The further loss of EU funding would be critical for Bulgaria, pointed out Reuters.
Sofia is set to receive around €11 billion of EU funding for agriculture and regional development until 2013.
According to an unnamed Bulgarian official it would be worse for the country if the state agencies operating with EU funds lose their accreditation.
It is expected that Sofia will be praised for the efforts of deputy premier in charge of EU funds Meglena Plugchieva and the appointment of the new Interior Minister Mihail Mikov.
In April Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Rumen Petkov was forced to resign on April 13 following the arrest of two high-ranking police officials from his ministry. They are accused by prosecutors of passing sensitive information to shadowy businessmen and irregular phone tapping.
The killings of an author of books on the Bulgarian mafia and the chief of an energy company who were killed in two separate incidents in Sofia sparked warnings from the European Union about the country's failure to tackle contract killings.
In the report, Bulgaria will be deemed as failing to fight endemic corruption in state institutions and the regular suspension of court trials.
Meanwhile, Mark Grey, the European Commission spokesman, told Bulgarian National Radio that the final report is not ready yet. He added that the report will be under political discussion and refused to comment on its content.
2008-07-23 03:35:28