Caretaker Deputy PM Pekanov: EC has most question about two sectors under the Recovery Plan - energy and the rule of law

Feedback from the EC on the Recovery Plan has been received, which in no way surprises or worries us, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EU Funds Atanas Pekanov said in the National Assembly on December 9.

Pekanov confirmed that 43 questions had been received from the Commission, but most concerned two areas - energy and the rule of law.

"There are 57 projects and 46 reforms in the Recovery and Resilience Plan. We have received feedback, which includes two major issues and separate technical issues on some of the reforms. For example - when will this law be introduced. Technical issues will be clarified, they are not bothering and do not surprise us. It's not something we did not expect,“ he said.

"We have had difficult negotiations in recent months. I think we have set our position. It is absolutely untrue that there is a lot of criticism in the energy sector. We have made huge progress there. We have our red lines. The EC is pushing for more reforms. One of the important ones is the reform of the Bulgarian Energy Holding - something that the caretaker cabinet cannot take on as a commitment now. This is a red line on which negotiations are continuing. We must defend the right position of the country.

With regard to the rule of law, we have done a very good job. The Ministry of Justice has proposed a mechanism in response to the criticism we have received in the annual report for years - namely the lack of accountability from the Prosecutor General. Mechanisms have been set for how this should be addressed. The mechanism for choosing this person, who can investigate the chief prosecutor, is yet to be clarified in more detail," Pekanov said.

The EC wants the reforms to be explained in more detail. But these are reforms that the National Assembly will take in the future, he said.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the fact that we receive a comment from the EC does not mean that each one should be accepted, but we should defend our position.