A videoconference between the European Chief Prosecutor, Ms Laura Kӧvesi, and Bulgaria’s Minister for Justice, Mr Krum Zarkov, took place this afternoon, 23 February 2023. They discussed the conditions under which the EPPO operates in Bulgaria – more specifically, the general working conditions and working environment of the European Delegated Prosecutors, including the necessary assisting human resources. These fall under the responsibility of the competent national judicial authorities, as determined by Article 96(6) of the EPPO Regulation.
The European Chief Prosecutor welcomes the Minister’s commitment and dedication to building a truly independent and efficient EPPO in Bulgaria. During the discussion, she insisted on the need for the Bulgarian authorities to deliver key improvements in this respect: the actual establishment of an independent administrative structure for the EPPO’s office in Sofia, already foreseen under national law; the urgent assignment of dedicated and specialised police investigators to the EPPO; as well as the nomination of the missing qualified candidates for the position of European Delegated Prosecutor. She also informed the Minister for Justice about her letter to Prosecutor General Mr Ivan Geshev, requesting that he enable and facilitate a fact-finding mission to Sofia by the Internal Audit Capacity of the EPPO.