The money is part of the several hundred million of euros that the Commission, the executive arm of the EU, froze in 2008 over various corruption scandals. Revelations that the former executive director of
Bulgarian officials carried out several audits of the roads agency, and the Commission ruled that the agency had been overhauled to operate according to EU rules. The unfrozen money will pay for highway construction near
Stanishev Notes EU’s Attention
Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said the money’s release showed that the EU was paying attention to Bulgarian anti-corruption efforts.
“The EC’s decision shows that the Bulgarian government’s efforts to combat problems and irregularities in EU funds’ absorption have been appreciated,” Stanishev said. “This is not the end of our efforts but just a step forward.”
The news came just in time for Stanishev’s Socialist-led government, which was accused last year of incompetence in fighting corruption and organized crime. Parliamentary elections are slated for July 5.
--Beth Kampschror