James O'Brien: Magnitsky Act sanctions aim to reinforce Bulgaria's European choice

The sanctions under the global Magnitsky Act are intended to strengthen Bulgaria's choices, which deepen its integration in Europe and cooperation with global companies, as well as the diversification of energy sources, James O'Brien, head of the Office for the Coordination of Sanctions in the administration of President Joe Biden, said in an interview with BNR on February 14.

After his meetings with President Rumen Radev and representatives of the caretaker government, O'Brien said that there is an understanding in the country of the importance of conducting reforms in the area of fighting corruption, but real action in this direction is also needed.

Radev to Jim O'Brian: Bulgaria's modernisation requires transparency in the legislative process

"We would like to see a process where the parties come together and agree on a specific text and commit to voting on it at the beginning of the new parliament. And then implement it in full. Because we want, not just laws on paper, don't we? And Bulgaria to have an independent, impartial and accountable investigative service, an anti-corruption service, a prosecutor general and so on. In addition to legislation, we need enforcement of these laws", says James O'Brien.

Referring to the five other Bulgarian citizens named - former finance minister in the GERB government Vladislav Goranov, BSP politician Rumen Ovcharov, leader of the Russophiles movement Nikolay Malinov and two former Kozloduy NPP chiefs sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act, O'Brian said:

"The sanctions are intended to reinforce Bulgaria's choices that deepen its integration into Europe and cooperation with global companies, as well as the diversification of energy sources. It is important that some old practices are identified and stopped. These sanctions follow the evidence we have and identify tens of millions of euros that have been taken from the Bulgarian people and given to officials or to foreign companies. The purpose of these sanctions is to ensure that Bulgaria is able to investigate and stop such behaviour so that it can be a full participant in the global economy."

O'Brien also commented that "the sanctions are not intended to undermine or circumvent Bulgarian institutions. They do not attack any political party. They are targeting individuals who have created a parallel system that has diverted a lot of money from the people of Bulgaria and has particularly hindered the reform of the Bulgarian energy system. And now it is time to move on in a better way. We believe that judicial reform is the most important new step in anti-corruption reform."

He noted that the US expects Bulgaria to focus on judicial reform.

"We are working on evidence, but the idea is that there has to be reform so that Bulgaria can prevent these activities, investigate them and punish them when they happen. And that's the thing we most want to see in the future," James O'Brien said.

Source: BNR