The Council notes that Bulgaria has continued the reform of the judicial system by improving the rules for appointments, training and appraisals within the judiciary. Bulgaria also strengthened legislation on conflict of interest and continued a structural reform within the judiciary and the police, notably by taking a decision to establish a specialised court for organised crime cases and starting the reform of police investigations. For the first time within the last four years The Council take such a standpoint.
Commission’s assessment also points to important challenges. In spite of the determined efforts by the Bulgarian government, Bulgaria needs to make further progress in achieving convincing results in the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime. Several important appointments within the judiciary did not meet the standards of
transparency and credibility. The representatives of the judiciary have not yet shown a real commitment to reform. The Council encourages Bulgaria to urgently pursue its judicial reform strategy, take further steps towards a fundamental reform of the judicial system and to effectively improve accountability and professional practice within the judiciary and the investigative authorities. Sustained commitment is needed to continue the reforms, notably by adopting a new law on asset forfeiture. Bulgaria should also ensure full implementation of the law on conflict of interest and improve administrative capacity in the field of public procurement.