Danish Ambassador to Bulgaria’s Justice Minister: Bulgaria is developing in the right direction

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Desislava Ahladova and the Ambassador of Denmark H.E. Soren Jakobsen discussed the current state of judicial reform in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Justice announced on October 22.

In connection with the findings for Bulgaria in the the European Commission’s report on the rule of law, Ambassador Jacobsen said that Bulgaria is developing in the right direction, has made great progress and this was reported by the EC.

Minister Ahladova assured him that Bulgaria continues the reforms started, acquainting him with the latest legislative initiatives regarding judicial reform, emphasizing that the draft of a new Constitution was sent by the National Assembly for an opinion by the Venice Commission.

"We are confident that the Venice Commission will give a competent opinion, which we will comply with," Ahladova explained.

Ambassador Jacobsen said that seeking the opinion of the Venice Commission was the right approach taken by the Bulgarian legislator in this case.

"We appreciate Denmark's support for Bulgaria's candidacy for membership in the OECD and we expect assistance in starting accession talks as soon as possible," said Minister Ahladova during her meeting with the ambassador.

The two also touched upon the issue of places of imprisonment in Bulgaria. It was reported that in recent years there has been a significant improvement in the material base and conditions in detention facilities and prisons in the country thanks to the financial support of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

Minister Ahladova and Ambassador Jacobsen agreed that the two countries would continue their fruitful bilateral co-operation in the field of justice.