The Bulgarian and EU flags stand shoulder to shoulder on an administrative building in the city of Burgas, on the Black Sea coast. Bulgaria joined the EU on January 1, 2007. Photo by International Herald Tribune
The EU is to issue a progress report on the state of justice, corruption and organised crime in Bulgaria and Romania on June 27th, its spokesman confirmed on Monday.
"I can confirm that the president of the European Commission has the intention to offer to its members the reports on Bulgaria and Romania on June 27, " said European Commission spokesman Mark Gray.
The European Commission said last week that the report would not consider a possible withholding of EU funds from either newcomer.
"The report that the Commission will adopt at the end of June will deal with the judicial system, the questions of corruption and the question of organised crime for Bulgaria and Romania," Commission spokesman Mark Gray told a news briefing on Thursday.
"It will not deal with the question of the possibility of withholding EU funds."
The European Commission has steadfastly refused to confirm claims that its upcoming assessment report on Bulgaria will not propose safeguard clauses in justice and home affairs.
Latest unofficial reports that the EU is likely to trigger at least one financial safeguard for Bulgaria and none for Romania.
The report is currently being prepared by the Secretary General of the institution, Catherine Day and her team.