The European Union softened its criticisms of Bulgaria and Romania, according to the British magazine "The Economist". The publication makes further comments that even by Brussels' polite standards, the criticism has been quite tough.

On July 23rd the European Commission issued critical reports on Bulgaria's and Romania's progress (or lack of it) in fighting corruption and spending European Union money, but after intense lobbying, the language became weaker and the commission dropped an explicit warning that Bulgaria was endangering its chances of joining the euro and the Schengen passport-free travel area, the article continues, adding that he message, however, remained quite clear.

The magazine points out that Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Sergey Stanishev, had welcomed the softened language of the report and promised an "action plan." According to the publication, outsiders treat all those promises with justified skepticism because Bulgaria's efforts have shown almost no results in terms of convicting fraudsters or corrupt officials.

Public figures in Bulgaria seem not just weak but malicious, the article continues, citing accusations of the EU's anti-fraud agency, OLAF that high-ranking officials have been a "political umbrella" for gangs who have stolen millions of euros meant for Bulgaria's poor countryside and crumbling infrastructure.

Crime, corruption and a weak judicial system are pointed out as overlapping problems.

What scandalizes ordinary Bulgarians is that their country, the poorest in the EU, is missing a vital chance to modernize, according to "The Economist"

"Brussels is disappointed and even angry about the two countries' performance since joining the club in January 2007, but Eurocrats are not sure what to do. Sharp criticism and tough sanctions might merely demoralize those who are trying to make things better, as well as undermining the membership hopes of other Balkan countries. Despite everything, few believe that any of the new members would be better off out than in," concludes the article.

The full text of the article can be found at: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=95474

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