EC Launches 3 New Infringement Proceedings against Bulgaria

The new infringement proceedings involve the failure to bring Bulgarian legislation in line with EU Directives within the given deadlines.Photo by EPA/BGNES

The European Commission launched three new infringement proceedings against Bulgaria at the end of term in office of the previous government, according to a report on the implementation of the measures stemming from Bulgaria's obligations as an EU Member State in Q1, 2013.

The report was adopted at a sitting of the caretaker government on Wednesday.

The infringement proceedings involve the failure to bring Bulgarian legislation in line with EU Directives within the given deadlines.

Following the launch of the two new infringement proceedings, Bulgaria already faces 12 infringement proceedings for failure to transpose EU Directives on time.

Two of the violations, which concern the adoption of the EU energy liberalization package, may bring a penalty of BGN 16 000 a day for the country.

Out of a total of 184 measures listed in Action Plan 2013 of the measures stemming from Bulgaria's obligations as an EU Member State, 71 have been implemented by March 31, while 21 are facing delays.

The share of unimplemented measures has decreased from 73.5% in January to 29.5% in end-March, according to the press office of the caretaker government.

Some of the unimplemented measures can be attributed to the dissolution of Bulgaria's Parliament after the collective resignation of the GERB government, which made the adoption of four bills impossible.

Since Q2, 2012, when the previous report was published, the EC launched six new infringement proceedings and adopted one reasoned opinion concerning Bulgaria's failure to transpose EU Directives on time.

Bulgaria's efforts to remedy the omissions are expected to result in the closure of seven out of twelve infringement proceedings, according to the media statement of the caretaker government.

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