Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-04-12-Speech-2-295"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050412.29.2-295"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
".
The accession negotiations on Chapter 24 were closed on the basis of a considerable number of commitments being undertaken by the Bulgarian Government.
The continued reform of the judicial system stands out as the overarching priority for Bulgaria in its preparations for accession. Clear steps for the reform of the judiciary have been agreed in the accession negotiations. The commitments undertaken must be fully respected.
Important challenges lie ahead, notably as regards the adoption of the new penal procedure code, making the entire pre-trial investigation phase simpler and corresponding to EU best practices. This requires a clear consensus of all parties involved, including the political parties.
Finally, the overall working conditions, the need for enhancing specialisation of judges and prosecutors, the appointment procedures, access to legal aid in practice, and other commitments from the accession negotiations will need to be addressed. Apart from political will, sufficient budgetary resources are also needed to meet these criteria.
In this context, the Bulgarian authorities should now make every effort to ensure the completion of the reform, especially with regard to the pre-trial phase. This is indispensable to ensure that Bulgaria has the legal means and resources to fully apply the rule of law and requirements of membership.
It seems as though the preparation for this reform is taking more time than was initially expected. The Bulgarian authorities have nevertheless reiterated their commitment to a new draft penal procedures code to be adopted by the Council of Ministers on 15 May. I am reasonably confident that this commitment will be respected, as this is indispensable for Bulgaria to meet its commitments from the negotiations.
The Commission will keep a close watch on this area through intensified monitoring, to get sufficient assurances that progress continues after the closure of negotiations and that the country will be effectively ready for membership in 2007."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples