Dutch Minister Denies Demanding Safeguard Clause against Bulgaria, Romania

Dutch EU Affairs Minister Timmermans denied having demanded the activation of a safeguard clause against Bulgaria. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Dutch Minister of EU Affairs, Frans Timmermans, has denied having demanded the activation of a safeguard clause against Bulgaria and Romania.

The news comes as a follow-up of Wednesday's report by the Romanian news agency NewsIn which quoted a two-page letter dated May 30 and signed by the Dutch European Affairs minister, Frans Timmermans, proposing a meeting with European Commissioner on Justice, Jacques Barrot to examine the impact of the safeguard measures against Romania and Bulgaria.

Timmermans announced Thursday, as quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio, that he had already met Barrot during the EU Council Summit in Brussels, and had clarified his position to him.

"I don't want a safeguard clause. What I want is the continuation of monitoring and cooperation. I also would like to see how we could help Bulgaria and Romania overcome the problems that they have with the management of EU funds", Timmermans has declared as quoted by BGNES.

The Dutch EU Affairs Minister believes the EC must be stricter in monitoring and control of how Bulgaria spends European money. Timmermans has made clear his position before Barrot, and also intends to discuss the issue with Commission officials in charge of EU funds.

 

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