The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the European funds' absorption, Meglena Plugchieva expressed on Tuesday her deep disappointment of the European Commission's (EC) negative assessment and its refusal to restore the accreditation of two of Bulgaria's PHARE executive agencies over fraud concerns.

In a special interview for the Darik radio, Plugchieva stated that previous assessments of the EC have been way more positive than the Tuesday one, but declined to say if any personnel changes in the Bulgarian institutions dealing with the absorption of the funds were to follow.

"I do not consider this a supportive and constructive approach. We have not reached the maximum. But I am asking - which EU country is free of corruption and has solved all its problems, especially now, when the world is shaken by the global financial crisis. This comes at the time when Bulgaria, unlike other European countries, is stable, is not begging for EUR 20 B or 25 B, and is making efforts to deal with the crisis on its own.", the Deputy PM stated in the interview.

Plugchieva declared that she was deeply disappointed and saddened by the EC decision, defining it as an unjust and incorrect measure, deviating form the principles of partnership and solidarity.

Whens asked why Bulgaria received such heavy blow, the Deputy PM voiced her opinion that if this had been an older or bigger member of the EU, such measures would not have been undertaken.

"This approach of focusing only on the negative in Bulgaria and of negative assessment only of Bulgaria is unacceptable; I do not share it and I do not see it as a reflection of the EU spirit," Plugchieva concluded.

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