Press Release: Commission issues report on progress in Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism

On 27 January 2016 the Commission issued its report on steps taken by Bulgaria on judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime, in the context of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). The report set out where progress had been made against the established benchmarks in the past twelve months, and where further steps are needed.

Although Bulgaria took some important steps, such as Constitution amendments, the progress in tackling high-level corruption and organised crime cases is slow. The Commission urged Bulgaria to accelerate progress on implementing the recommendations.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/154, 27.01.16: Reports on Progress under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria and Romania http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-154_en.htm

EurActiv, 27.01.16: Romania praised in Commission report but Bulgaria damned http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/romaina-praised-commission-report-bulgaria-damned-321361

ESO: Background information: Bulgarian minister quits after judicial reform plan rejected http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgarian-minister-quits-after-judicial-reform-plan-rejected/

ESO: Background information: Commission reports on progress in Bulgaria under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-reports-on-progress-in-bulgaria-under-the-co-operation-and-verification-mechanism/

Balkan Insight, 27.01.16: EU Seeks Results From Bulgaria on Corruption www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/european-commission-urges-bulgaria-to-speed-up-the-fight-against-corruption-01-27-2016

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