The reform process must speed up, rather than slow down

Bulgarije is er niet in geslaagd de corruptie aan te pakken en heeft zo vorige maand al € 220 miljoen aan EU-fondsen mislopen. Miljoenen EU-geld blijft bevroren tot Sofia aan de verwachtingen voldoet.

"In spite of important decisions taken by the government, in spite of the intentions that have been reiterated, when [one] looks at the concrete decisions in court, we don't see yet the level of results that we would expect to see ... That is one of our concerns.” zei EC-voorzitter Jose Manuel Barroso.

Op de reactie van enkele Bulgaarse politici stellende dat Bulgarije niet op dezelfde manier behandeld wordt als andere EU-lidstaten, reageerde Barroso verontwaardigd:

"I must tell you Bulgaria is treated like every other member state. There are not in Europe – for me, for the commission – first class and second class member states. All have the same dignity, all deserve the same treatment." […] "But at the same time ... we will not allow people to play politics with European Union funds. You have to respect the rules."

Zie ook: Speaking points Barroso.