EU Ambassadors: Corruption Remains Huge Issue for Bulgaria

Political corruption remains a huge problem for Bulgaria while the country cannot benefit from its EU membership and European topics are absent from the public dialogue.

These are some of the opinions voiced Friday by European Union (EU) Member States’ Ambassadors to Bulgaria and other diplomats.

The Ambassadors spoke during a debate held at the Information Center at the Bulgarian Defense Ministry in downtown Sofia. The discussion was focused on the European Parliament elections’ campaign.

Participants included the Swedish Ambassador to Sofia, Paul Beijer, Finnish Ambassador to Sofia Kauko Jamsen, Jaroslav Kamas, Chancellor, and Deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Embassy, and the newly appointed Head of the Information Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, Violetta Simeonova-Stanichich.

The Finnish Ambassador voiced his satisfaction from the fact that Bulgaria has invited foreign observers for the elections but was critical towards Bulgaria’s EU membership and the failure to align Bulgarian reality with EU standards.

Jamsen pointed out the Bulgaria needs constructive criticism, adding the Cabinet and the Parliament were not inclined to adopt laws against the “gray economy” and lacked enough will to apply good practices.

According to the Finish Ambassador, political corruption, human trafficking, the gray economy, copyright violations remain huge issues in the country’s political and social life.

The Swedish Ambassador was less critical. He said that Bulgaria did not have more problems than several other EU countries, but pointed out the difference between political and factual reality in the country must be eliminated. Beijer stressed foreign observers must be welcomed but it was more important for the voters to be convinced that even without them, the elections were going to be just.

Jaroslav Kamas stated that the European issues were not included in the social dialogue and the election campaigns of Bulgaria’s political parties.

Violetta Stanichich, on her part, said the European elections campaign in Bulgaria will include thematic billboards, video clips, university debates, and an information website.