EC Spokesman: Bulgaria Has Will for Judicial Reforms for First Time

Mark Gray is well-known in Bulgaria as the EU Commission spokesperson for the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism, under which the Commission monitors Bulgaria's and Romania's progress in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime.

The European Commission spokesperson, Mark Gray, has praised Bulgaria for its “will for reforms” and have urged the country to continue with its efforts.

“The EC sees a will for reforms in the judicial system and urges Bulgaria to continue with its efforts,” Gray said Tuesday as a comment on the report of the EC on the country's judicial system and efforts to fight against the corruption and organized crime.

Gray has announced that the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) has noted for the first time that Bulgaria is experiencing “will for reforms”.

He also added that the EC report has noted the increase in the number of trials against corruption on higher levels and organized crime.

“These trials have to lead to more sentences,” the EC spokesperson said and pointed out the conclusion of the report, which states that Bulgaria needs to improve the professionalism in the police, prosecutions offices and courts.

“The judicial system needs to be more initiative and responsible,” Gray said.

The EC report on Romania, which joined the EU together with Bulgaria, was much more critical.

“There is much more work that needs to be done in both countries,” the EC spokesperson said.

Gray added that the progress in Bulgaria and Romania for the first three and a half years has had ups and downs. He said, however, that the accomplishments by the two countries have been made possible thanks to the support and pressure by the European Commission.

According to the EC report, published on Tuesday, Bulgaria has established “a strong reform momentum” in judicial reforms and combat against corruption and organized crime, still too few cases are concluded in court.

The commission is still monitoring the progress Bulgaria is making in justice and home affairs through the so-called Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM).

The conclusions in the latest, fourth, annual report the commission has produced under the mechanism say there is a need for improvements of the professional practice within the police, prosecution and courts.

The report was approved by the college of commissioners Tuesday morning and was presented later in the day.

“Success will require a sustained commitment by Bulgaria, the Commission and other Member States,” says the final text of the report.