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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 18.2.2011 COM(2011) 81 final

INTERIM REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL On Progress in Bulgaria under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism

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INTERIM REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL On Progress in Bulgaria under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism

1.

INTRODUCTION When Bulgaria entered the EU on 1 January 2007, a Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (hereafter CVM)1 was set up to help Bulgaria remedy shortcomings in the areas of judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime and to monitor progress in these areas through periodical reports. The present report is an interim report providing a technical update on significant developments having occurred during the last six months in Bulgaria under the CVM. It focuses on Bulgaria's response to the Commission's recommendations and does not contain a full assessment on progress achieved. The update is limited to measures that have either been completed or where their finalisation can be expected shortly. The last progress report adopted by the Commission on 20 July 2010 and its recommendations remain the point of reference for the assessment of progress achieved against the benchmarks and the identification of the remaining challenges. The Commission will provide its next assessment in summer 2011.

2.

JUDICIAL REFORM AND THE FIGHT CRIME: SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENTS

AGAINST

CORRUPTION

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ORGANISED

Since the Commission's last report, Bulgaria continued legal reform and adopted important amendments to the Judicial Systems Act. These amendments provide the legal basis to further implement the judicial reform strategy, to strengthen the accountability and management powers of the Supreme Judicial Council and to improve the system of appointments, professional training, appraisal and promotions in the