Bulgarian, Foreign MEPs Call for Changes to CVM Mechanism

Bulgarian and foreign MEPs from different political groups called for changes to the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) which is currently in place for Bulgaria and Romania in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime.

They called for either ending the CVM reports for Bulgaria and Romania or the introduction of a common European mechanism for the rule of law which should be applicable to all member states of the EU.

This happened during a hearing of the recommendations from the latest CVM reports in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee of the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Emil Radev (EPP) said that it was time for Brussels to start treating Bulgaria as a full-fledged member and to suspend the discriminatory mechanism and instead to introduce a mechanism on the rule of law.

Mariya Gabriel (EPP) asked whether the European Commission has concrete proposals on increasing the efficiency of the mechanism, daily Dnevnik informs.

Iliana Iotova (S&D), who is vice-chair of the committee, asked the European Commission whether this is the best instrument it has in place for cooperation with the two countries.

Filiz Hyusmenova (ALDE) proposed asking the European Commission to review the impact of the mechanism, its efficiency and effectiveness.

Angel Dzhambazki (European Conservatives and Reformists) called for ending the discriminatory mechanism as its application resulted in double standards.

Birgit Sippel (S&D) asked whether the European Commission intends to introduce amendments to the mechanism or apply it to other member states.

Geoffrey Van Orden (European Conservatives and Reformists) called for ending CVM for both countries, which had been devised as a temporary measure.

Former Romanian Justice Minister Monica Macovei was the only MEP in favour of continuing the CVM report on Bulgaria and Romania. According to her, Romanians did not see the mechanism as being discriminatory.

Later on Wednesday, the CVM mechanism will be discussed at a conference entitled “CVM – functioning, effect and recommendations” organised by Bulgarian MEPs.

The conference will be attended by representatives of Bulgarian institutions and the European Commission directly involved in devising the CVM reports.

Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov and Georgi Kolev, chairperson of the Supreme Administrative Court, will also participate in the conference.

On Tuesday, the Council of the EU adopted the conclusions from the latest CVM reports, commending Romania on the progress achieved and calling on Bulgaria to step up the reforms.

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