A European Commission spokesperson stated on Monday that Bulgaria has taken “credible steps to ensure the implementation” of milestones outlined in its recovery and resilience plan. The spokesperson noted that the initial block on the disbursement of the second and third payments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan stemmed from concerns over the unsatisfactory implementation of anti-corruption reforms. To address this, the Bulgarian government previously approved a draft Act on Tackling Corruption of Public Office Holders in April.
Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that Bulgaria had submitted a request to revise its recovery plan following discussions with the Commission. This proposed revision seeks to postpone the deadlines for two specific milestones. The first milestone, which concerns establishing a politically independent anti-corruption body, would be shifted from the second to the fourth payment request.
Additionally, the second milestone, relating to the operationalization of this body, would be moved from the third to the fifth payment request. The spokesperson added that the Commission is tasked with assessing the entirety of this revision. Following its evaluation, the Commission will prepare a proposal for the Council to formally reflect these proposed changes within the Bulgarian Recovery Plan.
These discussions highlight ongoing efforts between the member state and the Commission to align national reforms with the requirements set forth by the EU budget mechanisms.
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The Commission’s confirmation suggests Bulgaria has made tangible advancements regarding its recovery plan requirements.