Council of Ministers proposes the establishment of a structure for European delegated prosecutors in Bulgaria

The Council of Ministers approved a draft law on amendments and additions to the Judiciary Act aimed at ensuring independence and better functioning of the European Public Prosecutor's Office in Bulgaria. The draft law proposes the establishment of a structure for European delegated prosecutors in the country, Lena Borislavova, spokesperson of the cabinet said at a briefing after the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 18.

Minister of Justice, Nadezhda Yordanova, said that with the approved draft law the state fulfils its commitment under the European regulation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office to provide resources for the effective performance of the duties of European prosecutors. This structure will have its own budget, its own administration, it will have its own secret registry office, its own building.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office has welcomed the legal changes in view of the fact that there are cases where the work of European delegated prosecutors has been blocked due to lack of resources, Borislavova said.

Another important decision taken by the Council of Ministers was to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Basel Institute for Good Governance in Switzerland for advice on anti-corruption reform, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies and recruitment. The Basel Institute is an independent expert organisation dedicated to working worldwide with public and private entities to strengthen governance, counter corruption and related financial crime, and recover diverted assets.

Borislavova said cabinet members are willing to appear before the Prosecutor's Office to cooperate in cases for investigation of corruption.