The economic development of Bulgaria is being held back by
widespread corruption and organised crime, said Günter Verheugen in
Sofia on 8 June. The Enlargement Commissioner said that potential
investors he had spoken to hesitated to do business in Bulgaria due
to the lack of a serious effort by the country to fight corruption
and crime. Mr Verheugen has pointed out that there is still some
way to go before Bulgaria completes its preparations for accession.
Improvements are particularly necessary in Bulgaria's judiciary
system and administrative capacities. However, he concluded by
saying that "Everyone can be assured Bulgaria will be a full,
equal, and responsible member of the EU by January 2007".
On 4 June, Bulgaria closed negotiation chapters on agriculture,
regional policy and financial and budgetary provisions. Bulgaria is
expected to close the last remaining chapter on competition before
the end of the term of the Irish Presidency (end of June), which
will mark the completion of Bulgaria's entry talks.