site.btaDeputy PM: New Anti-Corruption Commission Must Be Operational by End-August, EC Already Unfreezing EUR 370 Mln

The new anti-corruption commission must become operational by the end of August, while the European Commission is already unfreezing EUR 370 million for Bulgaria, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov said on Nova Television's morning programme on Friday. He pointed out that the anti-corruption commission would most likely be adopted as early as Friday, adding that this was a key condition for restoring European funding under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

According to him, the selection of the commission’s members should be finalized in the coming months, while the Cabinet is working at an accelerated pace on the adoption of the necessary legislative changes. Pekanov stressed that the new structure would not repeat the "bad practices" of the previous commission, which he said had been used for political pressure.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria has completed 19 out of the 25 steps required for the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, but warned that part of the funds could be temporarily withheld if the remaining measures are not implemented on time. According to him, the deadline for fulfilling the commitments under the fifth payment is August 31.

Pekanov also said that the Government is seeking to reach and exceed the average European level of absorption of funds under the plan, which stands at around 70%. He pointed out that some of the delays are linked to infrastructure and digital projects, including the construction of hangars for the medical helicopters and the delivery of new locomotives.

During the interview, the Deputy Prime Minister also commented on inflation, stressing that regulators must be more active and exercise stricter oversight over commercial practices. According to him, it is not normal for certain goods to be more expensive in Sofia than in other European capitals.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov stated that Bulgaria would continue to assist Kyiv in every possible way in the short term, but stressed the need to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict. According to him, the question of the war’s ultimate objective is a "realistic question" that Europe must ask itself. He noted that "sooner or later, peace is sought precisely with enemies", giving as an example the contacts between European leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin following the annexation of Crimea.

Pekanov further stressed that Europe should not remain sidelined from any potential negotiations to end the war. "If others reach an agreement to end this war while Europe stands somewhere on the sidelines, that is not a good option," he said. The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out that, in the context of a "strained" budget and the need for funding for infrastructure projects, it is normal for Bulgarian citizens to raise questions about long-term support for Ukraine.

He also commented that the Government is working to unlock funding under the Just Transition Fund intended for coal regions, as well as for the implementation of energy and infrastructure projects linked to the water and sanitation sector and the expansion of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant.