INL Assistant Secretary: Bulgaria Crime Combat Impressive

“We are very pleased with the arrests that have been made this year. The results are impressive,“ David Johnson said after conferring with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Monday. Photo by BGNES

David Johnson, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, has highly praised the results that the new Bulgarian government has achieved in its fight against organized crime.

“We are very pleased with the arrests that have been made this year. The results are impressive,“ David Johnson said after conferring with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Monday.

Johnson welcomed Bulgaria's strong political will for reforms and expressed support for the government's proposal to set up a special tribunal for cases of organised crime and high-level corruption in a bid to speed up trials in that area.

He pointed out that the detentions of criminals are important, but that they should lead to convictions, which would “boost prosperity and long-term stability” in the country.

Later in the day David Johnson will also meet with other senior leaders of the newly elected Bulgarian government to demonstrate US commitment to the Western Balkans, and encourage Bulgaria to maintain momentum in its renewed fight against organized crime and corruption.

The visit is expected to boost US support for the reforms of the new government, and reinforce the message that the United States stands ready to continue supporting the Bulgarian government’s positive influence throughout the region.

Following his visit to Bulgaria Assistant Secretary Johnson will lead the United States delegation to the US-EU Drugs Troika meeting on June 9th in Brussels.

Assistant Secretary Johnson’s visit to Kosovo on June 10-11 is meant to reinforce the United States’ commitment to assisting the Government of Kosovo in supporting the rule of law, while emphasizing the US pledge to cooperate on rule of law issues.

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