German Conservatives Fume over Bulgaria Unblocked Funds

The conservative group in the Bundestag says that there is not enough insistence on administrative reforms and organized crime combat in Bulgaria. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The German Christian Social Union, part of the ruling coalition in the Federal Republic, has slammed the European Commission decision to unfreeze some EUR 115 M in aid for Bulgaria that was suspended due to corruption.

In a statement, circulated to the media, the conservative group in the Bundestag underlines that there is not enough insistence on administrative reforms and organized crime combat in Bulgaria.

The German Christian Social Union members say they are at a loss at Brussel's decision and add that the enlargement process was bungled in a rush to bind Sofia to the West.

"Bulgaria joined the European Union too early in 2007. Neither then, nor now it manages to meet the criteria, which we, quite naturally, set for the new member states to meet. The transfer of payments for infrastructure and agriculture makes sense only when the money reaches users and is not diverted due to bureaucracy or corruption."

The statement points out that it is no consolation that the bigger part of the funds remain suspended.

"It makes it even more urgent for the European Commission to explain why it decided to unblock such a large sum," the statement concludes.

The European Commission unfroze Tuesday some EUR 115 M in aid for Bulgaria in what has been seen as a pre-election image boost for the ruling Socialists.

The decision for unblocking part of the funds suspended due to corruption was announced at a meeting in Brussels between EU Regional Aid Commissioner and Polish Socialist member Danuta Hubner and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, Meglena Plugchieva, who was appointed to oversee the distribution of EU funds.

The unfrozen money comes from a pre-accession ISPA programs for infrastructure projects, which aim to improve Bulgaria's dilapidated roads. Funds from a technical assistance program for acceding countries and for agriculture remain suspended.

The unblocked funds come as an unexpected bonanza for Bulgarian Socialist Prime Minster Sergey Stanishev ahead of the general elections on July 5, which are highly likely to be won by the popular party of Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov. 

 

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