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THE LIBERAL GOALS OF THE BULGARIAN FRACTION IN THE LIBERAL PARTY The group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament has set ten political priorities for 2007. The Bulgarian delegation in this group headed by me unanimously supports them. This is so not only because they express the liberal policy to which we all adhere, but also because many of them coincide with the ideas set forth in the political declaration of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms during the pre-election campaign. Some of them are directed towards issues discussed in the European Parliament and other EU institutions. A case in point is the European Constitution. Our delegation is in favor of ratification and coming into force of this new agreement and we regard it as a condition for a positive change in decision-making and improving coordination among EU institutions. We hope that by introducing the foreign minister figure in the Constitution the common EU policy in the field of foreign relations and security will become more coordinated, thus strengthening Europe’s positions on a world scale.
The MRF has also declared itself in favor of enhancing protection of common outer borders, adopting a common policy regarding refugees and common strategy for managing legal immigration. Since Bulgaria is an outer EU border, this policy will have a direct impact on our country. Another goal, which is directly related to Bulgaria, is the steering of an economic policy that helps create welfare, competitive environment and new jobs, as well as a viable European social model.NATIONAL PROGRAM AND INITIATIVES TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE BULGARIAN DELEGATION The posed question – a national program to be supported by us – presupposes that such program is available. As is well known, there is no such program at the time being. But I am sure that we can expect it as Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev unambiguously stated that he was in favor of a clear-cut formulation of a new policy to reflect the changed realities in Bulgaria. The coalition government can reconsider the strategic trends in the country’s development through a broad public debate and create a national program. This will certainly pull together the efforts of Bulgarian European MPs making these efforts more effective. An example of this is our support to the declaration of Bulgarian media from their meeting in Rome. On the other hand, what I have already pointed as our goals in the group of liberals should be incorporated in a national program. I will also add that we will support initiatives for less bureaucratic statutory order, greater transparency and more professional and expedient communication strategies with citizens in relation to EU.
ARE WE THREATENED BY PREVENTIVE CLAUSES AND FINANCIAL SANCTIONS IN VIEW OF THE FORTHCOMING MONITORING REPORT Last Thursday, the European Committee said that the report on the state of judicial system, corruption and organized crime in Bulgaria and Romania, expected this month, would not discuss any possible financial deductions from Eurofunds for none of the new members. The Committee spokesperson Mark Gray said that the report to be adopted by the Committee will refer to the judicial system, corruption and organized crime in Bulgaria and Romania.
I share the view that Sofia has met the EU requirements for changes in its Constitution thus guaranteeing judicial autonomy and that it has marked progress in the field of judicial reform and crime combat.
That the report will not include sanctions does not mean that such cannot be imposed. According to accession agreements, the EU has the right to restrict agricultural subsidies, regional assistance and judicial cooperation in the first two years if states fail to meet certain requirements. The Committee may offer some measures later this year after a separate audit of Bulgaria and Romania ascertains whether adequate finance control mechanisms have been established.WHAT DO WE LACK IN ORDER TO COPE AND STOP THE TALKS ABOUT AN EU STRONGLY CRITICAL REPORT Bulgaria can adequately answer and fulfil its commitments to EU. The more so as these are not just commitments, they are essential for us and our development. Bulgaria’s citizens need security, lawfulness and justice. The government is aware that it must stand up to these requirements. The very judicial system and other structures that have been and will be combating crime and corruption should optimize their work, including a strict abidance by deadlines for lawful procedures and actions.
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