EC Report on Bulgaria to Be Published on July 18

The important report on Bulgaria's justice system and internal affairs of the European Commission's under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism will be published on July 18.

The report, assessing the 5-year membership of the other newcomer Romania, is going to be released on the same date.

The news was reported Thursday by the government press office, citing statements made Wednesday by the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during his meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov.

Barroso has promised an honest and objective report, all while noting the improvement of Bulgaria's justice system and internal affairs. He has confirmed that the two countries will be treated according to their own achievements.

The deadline to publish the reports was mid-July and was slightly extended.

On Wednesday, a diplomat, speaking off-the-record, informed that the European Union is considering separating the monitoring of Romania and Bulgaria, citing as reason the attempt of Romania's ruling left wing to outs right-wing President, Traian Basescu, and to alter both the authority of the Constitutional Court and the Referendum Act.

Thursday is the second day of the visit of Borisov and Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, to Brussels. In addition to Barroso, they also met European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. The visit came on the PM's request.

Borisov has already "informed" about reforms in Bulgaria, including the judicial one, the progress in the fight against organized crime, the increased absorption of EU funds, and the measures to maintain fiscal discipline,

Borisov has also invited Barroso to travel to Bulgaria in August 2012 to take part in the ceremony for the opening of the latest segment of the Sofia subway.