BULGARIA IS committed to rooting out the corruption and fraud that prompted the European Commission to suspend more than €500 million in subsidies last year, the country’s deputy prime minister insisted on a visit to Dublin yesterday.
“The political will of the government is getting stronger and stronger,” said Meglena Plugtschieva. “Corruption was not invented in Bulgaria and it is certainly not unique to Bulgaria. It is a problem in every EU member state. We are on the right track and we are expecting support and co-operation from our friends in the EU.”
Last July the European Commission froze more than €500 million in funds earmarked for Bulgaria because of what it called rampant fraud, organised crime and severe spending irregularities. The contracting period for €220 million of that sum lapsed in November, meaning the funds were permanently lost.
Speaking after she outlined Bulgaria’s efforts in tackling the problem at the Dublin-based Institute of International and European Affairs yesterday, Ms Plugtschieva said a special unit attached to her office had been established recently to control the absorption and utilisation of EU funds.
She stressed the importance of greater reforms within the country’s judicial system so that prosecutions are secured in corruption cases and sentences handed down. “The judicial system is where the lagging behind is greatest.”