EU-Report Accession Bulgaria

Political criteria

Bulgaria has continued to make progress with public administration reform with further revisions to the legislative framework and the adoption of a Strategy for Modernisation of the State Administration in July 2002. Some further steps have been taken to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of Civil Service Act and related regulations and work is progressing in line with the Action Plan but efforts in this area need to continue. There has been little change as regards ensuring accountability of the public service. There has been some improvement as regards openness and transparency of public service through the implementation of the Law on Access to Public Information. There are few developments in the capacity for strategic planning, policy analysis and evaluation at the centre of government and in line ministries. There have been some good examples of consultation with affected parties (e.g. social and economic partners, civil society, and private sector) on preparation of strategies and new legislation. Some further progress has been made towards meeting this priority.

Good progress has been made to start to implement the strategy for reform of the judicial system, an area identified as in need of particularly urgent action. For example work is in hand to improve the administrative capacity of key institutions and some discussion has started to review the degree of immunity of members of the judiciary to ensure this is in line with international standards. The programme to implement the strategy on judicial reform was approved, and amendments to the Law on the Judicial System adopted, so work to implement the Action Plan is on track. A conference on judicial reform took place in February in line with the Action Plan. Concerning the full implementation of fundamental rights in penal cases such as legal aid, plans to improve this are on going but there has not yet been any significant change in practice. Good progress has been made to start to implement the national strategy to combat corruption, another area considered in need of particularly urgent action. The Bulgarian Government adopted an Action Plan to implement the strategy and prepared a progress report on implementation which indicates that this is proceeding on track. Considerable progress has been made towards meeting these priorities.

As regards human rights and the protection of minorities, further steps are still needed to set up a more effective system for redressing police misconduct. Very little progress has been made on the further implementation of the Roma Framework Programme. Bulgaria has not yet adopted secondary legislation necessary for the effective functioning of the Child Protection Act or to improve community care services for children. Bulgaria needs to reinforce its efforts to ensure the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. More progress is needed for these priorities to be met.

Overall, the Accession Partnership priorities related to the political criteria have been partially met. The implementation of measures in the Action Plan is largely on track.

© EU Commission -- 2003-03-30