European Commission Vice-President and justice and security commissioner Franco Frattini said that the EC had a great interest in Bulgaria joining the EU as scheduled on January 1 2007. The country will get the necessary assistance, Frattini told European Integration Minister Meglena Kouneva. Frattini arrived in Bulgaria to examine progress in judicial reform. The most recent EC report criticised Bulgaria for its failure to implement effective changes to the legal system.
If by March and April, Bulgaria shows progress in the areas of justice and domestic order, this will be positive for the pre-accession process, Frattini said. On May 17, the EC will present its final report on Bulgaria's readiness to join the EU. On the basis of this report, a decision will be made whether Bulgaria will join the EU in 2007 or 2008, Dnevnik newspaper reported.
On Sunday, Frattini met Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev. Additional meetings with President Georgi Purvanov and business representatives are scheduled. The European commissioner is satisfied with the political will of Bulgarian political authorities to take all necessary measures against organised crime.