The budget committee of the European Parliament insists that the European Commission take part in continuous assessment of the projects with EU funding in Bulgaria. This is something that has never been done for any of the European countries. This proposal was made in a project report by the parliamentary committee for the use of EU funding in Bulgaria. The motive is, that the government in Sofia does not penalize the executers of the projects for their delays, Dnevnik Daily informs.

A representative of the European Commission clarified that there were penalty clauses in all contracts and it depended on the state if it would enforce them. Examples in this regard are ISPA-funded Lyulin highway and the water purifying station in Pazardzhik. Both projects have been delayed with more than a year and nobody has been held responsible in spite of the clauses of the contracts.

The main issue emphasized by the parliamentary report is quality of public procurement in Bulgaria. According to the Strasbourg commission, the procedures allow conflict of interest, manipulations in favour of certain firms, as well as corruption. European MPs also express doubts about the abilities of Deputy Prime Minister Plugchieva who, in their opinion, is charged with far too serious responsibilities and tasks but lacks the means and political power for their implementation. The document also accounts for the lack of administrative capacity to manage, implement and control EU projects.

The parliamentary committee that visited Bulgaria a month ago recommends that Bulgarian authorities develop less projects but of higher cost, so that it is easier to keep track of their implementation and their deadlines.

The report indicates improved Bulgarian cooperation with OLAF and stresses that the new law on conflict of interest should be strictly enforced. The final version of the report will be presented in Brussels on November, 4th. The document only has recommendation value to the European Commission.