Bulgaria's Minister for the European Funds Management and former Mayor of the city of Gabrovo, Tomislav Donchev, had been fined BGN 20 by traffic police for driving without turning his automobile's lights on.

The Minister admits that this is a very rare experience since traffic police usually "forgive" him and promises to compliment the police officers before Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

The news was reported by Donchev, himself, on his Facebook page, where he writes that he had made a mistake as a driver and is pleased with the immediate reaction of the police patrol.

"I was fined today... I often drive alone. It has happened before to be stopped by traffic police, but they usually let me go, and even salute me. I find it too much, but not unusual. Today they were able to pleasantly surprise me. They fined me. I did not commit a serious violation – I am not used to the buttons of my government car, and did not realize that I had not turned the lights on. A little after the junction for the city of Lovech I was stopped by two young and very polite policemen. They explained the violation, checked my papers and wrote a citation for BGN 20. I am not sure if they recognized me, if yes – accolades for being uncompromising; if not – I am happy they looked great in their clean uniforms, and were polite and courteous. I think I will send a letter to their boss Tsvetanov to share my personal impression," Donchev, who, according to Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov is one of the top performing cabinet members, has written on Facebook.