EC report notes Bulgaria's progress and recommends further reforms
The European Commission report on Bulgaria’s readiness to become EU member confirmed January 1 2007 as the country’s EU entry date.
Both Bulgaria and Romania experienced major transformation over the past year, especially between the issuing of the two EC reports in May and September European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said.
The EC report said that Bulgaria has achieved success in reforming its justice system. “Rules have been introduced establishing objective procedures for the appointment and evaluation of magistrates. Pre-trial proceedings have been improved by the introduction of a fast-track procedure,” the report said.
Fight against corruption also saw improvements, the report said. Laws on political party funding and property declaration regulations for officials and administrators furthered transparency, the report said.
Legislation dealing with money laundering was almost completely synchronised with European requirements but needed to be put into effect.
Bulgaria also achieved progress in the areas of agriculture, consumer and health protection, social policy and employment.
Further progress was needed in a number of areas including social inclusion, anti-discrimination policies, public health, nuclear energy, environment and future management and control over the distribution of EU structural funds.
Bulgaria also needed to adopt a set of constitution amendments guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary. The country also needed to provide more measures countering corruption and organised crime.
“Bulgaria and Romania have made considerable efforts to complete their preparations for EU membership since the commission issued its last report in May. Bulgaria and Romania are sufficiently prepared to meet the political, economic and acquis criteria by 1 January 2007,” the report said.
EC was going to strictly examine the progress in these areas and if such was missing, the commission was going to request the introduction of safeguard clauses.
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Friday, July 25 2008
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DANA KYNDROVA, LIBUSI KYNDROVA, OCCUPATION, NORMALISATION, WITHDRAWAL What: A joint exhibition of photographer Dana Kyndrova and her mother, Libusi, remembering the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the troops of the Warsaw Pact forty years ago. When: June 30 to September 19 Where: the Czech Centre, 100 Rakovski Str, Sofia
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SUMMERTIME-IV, PART 1 What: General exhibition – Bogomil Arsov, Rosen Rashev, Boiko Kolev, Stelly Grancharov, Dimitar Karatonev. When: June 24 to July 31 Where: Paris Gallery, 8 Paris Str, Sofia
7TH LESSEDRA WORLD ART PRINT ANNUAL MINI PRINT 2008 What: This international exhibition/competition aims to show no other art has such big an application in modern society as graphic art. Its goal is to bring together participants and works from all over the world and forge contacts between artists and connoisse When: June 11 to August 31 Where: Lessedra Gallery, 25 Milin Kamuk Str, Sofia
MOMCHIL GEORGIEV, FINE ART What: Momchil Georgiev was born in 1974 in Plovdiv. He graduated with a degree in metal works from the National Academy of Arts, but currently works in the field of fine art. In this new exhibition at Agora Gallery, Georgiev presents his most recent work. His p When: July 9 to 29 Where: Agora Gallery, 3 Udovo Str, Sofia
KIRIL GYULEMETOV – 70 YEARS What: Kiril Gyulemetov (1938–2004) was a graphic. He did etchings, engravings on wood (though more rarely) and lithographies. He drew for more than 45 years – landscapes, people, objects, and ornaments. Fine art he did with oils, and he usually worked with aqua When: June 26 to July 25 Where: Altera Art Centre, 36 Dragan Tsankov Str, Interpred, Sofia
RADOSTIN DAMASKOV, SCULPTURE What: Radostin Damaskov has a degree in sculpture from the Veliko Turnovo University St St Kiril and Metodii. He has been a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists since 1987 and has participated in a number of exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as i When: July 9 to August 8 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
ALEXANDER IVANOV, 360 BULGARIA What: Exhibition of 120 photographs of Bulgaria shot by photographer Alexander Ivanov from a paraglider. When: July 31 to August 28, at the entrance of Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna September 5 to October 3, at the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv Where: Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna and the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv
ALEC FINLAY, PRAVDOLIUB IVANOV, THOUGHTS WITHIN THOUGHTS What: British artist Alec Finlay and Bulgarian counterpart Pravdoliub Ivanov explore areas of artistic collaboration, cognition, playtime, dialogue and subtle irony through a series of new neon and print installations, sculptures, wall drawings and live perform When: June 21 to July 26 Where: ARC Projects, 4th fl, 90 Vitosha Blvd, Sofia
ANATOLII STANKOULOV What: The exhibition is the latest stop of Anatolii Stankoulov on his trip around Europe over the past year, during which he lived, painted and exhibited his works in Paris, then staged exhibitions in Barcelona and Belgrade. When: July 21 to August 20 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
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The European Commission report on Bulgaria’s readiness to become EU member confirmed January 1 2007 as the country’s EU entry date. 
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