Bulgaria President: Bulgaria Is Hostage in European Elections Battle

Politics | November 26, 2008, Wednesday // 00:00
Bulgaria Bulgaria President: Bulgaria Is Hostage in European Elections Battle: Bulgaria President: Bulgaria Is Hostage in European Elections Battle Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov saw a connection between EC's decision to deprive Bulgaria of some EU funds, and the coming 2009 European Elections. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)

Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said Wednesday he saw a connection between Tuesday's decision of the European Commission to strip two Bulgarian executive agencies of their accreditation leading to the irrevocable loss of EUR 520 M of PHARE funds for the country, and the 2009 European Elections.

"I definitely believe that a trend is emerging in the context of the coming European elections in June of the following year, in which Bulgaria is the hostage in the battle between the main competitors for the winning of these elections even on a EU-wide scale", the Bulgarian President said while agreeing that Bulgaria's evaluation by the EC was of great importance.

At the same time, however, Parvanov commented that it was incorrect on part of the EU institutions to ignore all the things that had been achieved in the last few months.

"I am sure that there are certain circles in the European Commission who did not fully appreciate what was achieved here in the course of several months of intensive work. I mean the structural and staff changes, and the many specific actions, which were also observed in the various experts' inspections", the President declared.

Yet, he was also positive that Bulgaria's government bore the responsibility for the loss of the EUR 520 M of pre-accession funds.

"The government is responsible. This decision concerns a wide range of ministries. Of course, some have greater responsibility than others", the President said in the city of Veliko Turnovo.

He also appealed to both the Bulgarian government and the European Commission asking them for additional efforts in order to have an efficient dialogue, which would contribute to the coping with the issues.

The President made these comments during his visit to the National Military University Vasil Levski in the city of Veliko Turnovo. The school is celebrating the 130th year since its founding.

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