European Commission Spokesman, Mark Gray, has announced concern at Bulgaria's combating of conflicts of interest inside the Bulgarian government.

The EC was recently informed of a case where two former officials from the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy prepared the documentation for the organization of a tender on a large public procurement, then joined in a private company which had filed an application to take part in the bidding, and finally won the tender.

Gray drew attention to this case in an interview for Bulgarian daily newspaper Standart, stating; "This recent occasion of conflicting interests is especially concerning, as it signals that Bulgaria has not learnt its European lesson. Obviously, when two state officials mysteriously table their resignations and only two months emerge as beneficiaries on EU projects, there is something very wrong in it."

Gray continued; "In all our actions we firmly follow the EU principles and this is especially valid in combating conflicts of interests, which are a special kind of corruption. This is why we recommend that certain amendments are made to the Conflict of Interests act working in Bulgaria."

"Family ties should also be considered a prerequisite for conflict of interests, along with the political orientation and activities of a public person. Bulgaria should observe the common principles of the European community." Gray concluded.

Amendments to the Bulgarian Conflict of Interests Act were approved April 1 by the Bulgarian Parliament. These included salary deductions for offenders and the seizure of profits violators acquire.

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