The newly appointed head of the European Commission Delegation in Bulgaria Michael Humphreys repeated his initially voiced optimism about the country's readiness to join the European Union, but added a few caveats.

Bulgaria is ready to become a member of the European Union on January 1, 2007, but this does not mean it is perfect, Michael Humphreys told Darik News.

According to him the judicial system will never be perfect.

I am not saying that there has never been corruption in the older EU member states, but it is all about its scale, he added.

Humphreys warned that Bulgaria may be castigated by the people of the European Union if the networks of organized crime remain intact.

He was confident that in its progress ahead Bulgaria will earn the respect of all.

Citing the experience of his home country Ireland, Michael Humphreys tried to assuage fears of the expected shocking hikes, following EU entry.

Some of the prices may increase, bur others will go down as a result of the competition on the market, he said.

Michael Humphreys presented his credentials to the Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov on November 1, two months ahead of Bulgaria joining the bloc.

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