Bulgaria has made progress in the reform of the judicial system, but concrete results of the fight against organized crime and high-level corruption are still needed, said President of the European Commission (EC) Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday, who is on a visit here.
Barroso said at a joint press conference after meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minisiter Sergei Stanishev that it is of particular importance to keep the pace of reforms and develop in full Bulgarian citizens' rights and freedoms, as well as European solidarity.
Bulgaria must honor all commitments assumed by its becoming a member of the EU -- reform of the judiciary and curbing organized crime and corruption, Barroso said, pledging that Europe will do everything within its powers to help, "Europe wants to cooperate, and not to control."
When Bulgaria joined the EU, it made specific commitments to combat organized crime and corruption and it is important that these commitments are honored, the EC president said.
There is no room for corruption and organized crime in the EU and they will not be tolerated, he observed.
The EC president said there are cases of corruption in all countries but what matters is the attitude to such practices. Protracted investigations and delayed trials are alien to justice,he said.
On the same day, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov decorated Barroso with the Balkan Range Order Class 1 for his exceptional contribution to resolving the case of the Bulgarian medical professionals imprisoned in Libya.
"This country is well aware of its commitments ensuing from the mechanism of cooperation progress assessment -- commitments which will be met correctly," Purvanov said in his speech at the decoration ceremony.
Source: Xinhua
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