The progress reports on Bulgaria and Romania, issued on 27 June 2007 conclude that “progress in the judicial treatment of high-level corruption is insufficient”. However, the Commission finds that it is too early to trigger or remove the threat of sanctions against the two countries.
“While safeguard clauses are not being proposed by the Commission at this stage, we will remain vigilant. The further changes that are necessary require a long-term commitment,” Commission President José Manuel Barroso stated.
The Commission said that Bulgaria had adopted important constitutional reforms and "showed good will and determination", but needs to step up efforts to implement reforms. The report certifies "insufficient progress" for Bulgaria in the areas of high-level corruption and organised crime. The document notes that "'contract killings' continue to be of great concern" and that "to date no prosecution and conviction has taken place".
It also said it was satisfied about Romania's progress in tackling judicial reform, local-government corruption and setting up a national integrity agency. However, it points out that there are still efforts to be made and that progress regarding high level corruption is "insufficient".
Romania is currently investigating two former prime ministers and two former ministers over corruption allegations.
Some commentators were surprised by the report's softened tone and criticised that even in areas where there has been hardly any progress, the Commission certified that the two countries "largely met the benchmarks".
But Freedom, Security and Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini underlined that he wanted to send out the right message to the populations of Bulgaria and Romania. He said: "It is not a blaming and shaming exercise. It is an honest report highlighting what the two governments should do."
However, the Commission is not letting Bulgaria and Romania completely off the hook. It will continue to follow their progress and keep up the threat of sanctions, such as the non-recognition of court judgements, until mid-2008. Frattini said that the Commission would not shy away from making use of the safeguards if the two countries were "failing to make progress and meet the benchmarks".
