"The dialogue between Bulgarian and the European Commission (EC) is ongoing," Bulgaria's European Commissioner for consumer protection Meglena Kuneva stated on Monday.

Kuneva spoke at a special press conference held at the European Union (EU) info center in downtown Sofia. The Commissioner gave an account of her work during the past year.

While talking about the absorption of European funds Kuneva pointed out that the rules applied to all countries, not only to Bulgaria, adding that it was of everyone's best interest to use those funds by following clear and well defined rules.

Kuneva said she looked at the visit of the EU Director-General for Enlargement, Michael Leigh in Sofia as chance to clarify all issues around the recent EC revocation of EUR 220 M from the PHARE program for Bulgaria.

"Reputation is something that takes a long time to build, and when tarnished - to reinstate," Kuneva stated.

The Commissioner declined to offer any comments about the "verbal war" with Brussels launched by Bulgarian authorities after the EC decision, but in the context of her reply it became clear that she saw current problems as the result of Veselin Georgiev's previous management of the Bulgarian Road Agency.

Georgiev resigned back in February due to numerous allegations of funds abuse by the Road Agency. In May, after the National Audit Office issued a report establishing several violations at the Agency, the Prosecutor's Office initiated preliminary legal proceedings against Georgiev.

"It would be a good idea to focus on out shortcomings now, because next year the EC plan to deal with the negative effects of the global financial crisis would include opportunities for Bulgaria to absorb resources from the Cohesion fund through the alleviated procedure," Kuneva concluded.

Just a week ago, Meglena Kuneva was voted "European of the Year" by the readers of European Voice. She was nominated for her role in championing consumer rights in the age of digital economy.

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