EC: Monitoring on Bulgaria will continue under the new mechanism. First report expected on September 23

The EC does not have a specific date for the final termination of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria. This became clear from a speech by the Vice-President of the European Commission Vera Jourova in the European Parliament on September 10. She was heard by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on the state of play of the mechanism.

According to her, the monitoring of Bulgaria continues within the framework of the new mechanism of Brussels for monitoring the rule of law in all member states.

The discussion on the Cooperation and Monitoring Mechanism has become a broader discussion on the current situation. What became clear from Jourova's words is that, the mechanism has not yet practically disappeared. It does not have an exact date for this, as she put it, but the EC continues to monitor what is happening in Bulgaria under the new mechanism. The first report is due on September 23.

There was a lot of criticism from MEPs from different democratic parties, from different countries regarding what is happening in Bulgaria. Some of them defended the thesis that the mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania should remain.

"I would not like to get involved in local political battles. Of course, the involvement of people on the streets is part of the country's political life. My message to all peaceful protesters who want more democracy, freedom and justice is to use their right and express their will. We must continue to work with the Bulgarian authorities, we have worked well so far to achieve a positive result, I see a lot of effort to continue the reforms and the adoption of laws according to our recommendations and the recommendations of the Council of Europe. The dialogue and the monitoring will continue, as this is the main thing, and at the right time, until sufficient progress has been made, the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism can and should be terminated, and we will continue to monitor through other tools," Vera Jourova told BNT.

"The European People's Party monitors the rule of law processes and insists that democratic principles must be respected and respected in all EU member states. That is why we are closely following what is happening everywhere, including in Romania and Bulgaria. We expect Bulgaria to be able to get rid of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and at the same time introduce a rule of law mechanism that will apply to all Member States. This will bring hope for so many young Bulgarians for whom EU membership is also a chance for raising standard of living, "said Roberta Mezzola, an MEP from the European People's Party.

“I think that the monitoring of Bulgaria should continue in whatever form. We propose that all countries be monitored according to the same criteria. The European Commission will do this and we expect the first annual report for all Member States at the end of September. We want the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification to be replaced by the new report. It remains to be seen whether it will be as rigorous as the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, no matter which mechanism exists, there must be progress in reforms, because our concerns about the state of the rule of law in Bulgaria is great, I don't need to explain what it is about - the position of the Chief Prosecutor, the independence of the judiciary, the freedom of the media. Journalists must be able to work freely. There are open issues related to discrimination. Large demonstrations are organised in the country. It is clear that we still cannot say that everything is fine in Bulgaria, " said Sophia In 't Veld, member of the "Renew Europe" group.

"The Bulgarian citizens are European citizens and they are currently fighting for the European path of the country in which they live. Unfortunately, their own government refuses to hear them. I hope you will hear them. I hope that the European Commission will choose European principles and not hide behind petty political mathematics. Today is the time for the EC to choose which is more dear to it – the Bulgarian democracy or Mr. Borissov," said Elena Yoncheva, a Bulgarian MEP from BSP / Socialists and Democrats group.

"This mechanism has always been perceived in two ways - it has shown its ineffectiveness and discrimination. And I say why? It only applies to two countries. On the other hand, fair logic requires further concrete action. Recent years have become a political quarrel and divergent talk, both in Bulgaria and Romania, and in the EU. That is why it is important to introduce a comprehensive political mechanism, " said Ilhan Küçük, an MEP from the DSP / Renew Europe Group.

"Changes are also proposed to increase the accountability of the Chief Prosecutor. This will also implement the specific recommendations of the Venice Commission. In order to complete the reforms in the Constitution, it is important that all political parties participate in the discussion and support the changes. A political consensus is needed to successfully finalise this process, Emil Radev, a Bulgarian MEP from GERB/EPP said.

Чуйте последните новини, където и да сте!
Последвайте ни във Facebook и Instagram
Следете и канала на БНТ в YouTube
Вече може да ни гледате и в TikTok
Намерете ни в Google News