The rule of law remains a major challenge for Bulgaria, US Ambassador in Sofia Herro Mustafa said on Friday, addressing a conference on Rule of Law and the Business Environment in Bulgaria, organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.
Ambassador Mustafa said that the two countries' relations have never been stronger. Bulgaria is in a better position than ever before to achieve lasting success. The only area in which Washington and Sofia have not made any progress together is the rule of law, the diplomat said.
She noted that the fight against corruption is a personal priority for her. It is a priority for the administration of President Joe Biden, she added. It was also the first thing that Bulgarian institutions identified as their main problem during get-to-know meetings with her years ago. Mustafa said real friends, partners and allies are supposed to work together to help each other, and when Bulgaria is strong, its allies are strong too.
The US diplomat pointed out that investors see huge potential in Bulgaria but fear that their rights will not be respected if they become involved in a legal dispute. She spoke about very powerful persons who use Bulgarian government institutions to intimidate others; about behind-the-scenes dealings, non-transparent offers, and distorted bid specifications. Such complaints have come from US companies.
Corruption in Bulgaria has distorted the way institutions function and the way they are controlled, and this is to the detriment of the Bulgarian people, Ambassador Mustafa said. She is aware that the fight against corruption is a long-term project which is not easy to carry out.
Bad people should be punished; Bulgaria needs lasting change, the Ambassador said. Discussing the US Global Magnitsky Act, she said the US has denied visas to Bulgarians suspected of corruption, but none of them has been sentenced for an offence in Bulgaria. Many of them have not even received disciplinary penalties and have not been relieved of office.
Ambassador Mustafa underscored the US support for Bulgaria in the fight against corruption and for the rule of law. The rule of law is discussed at every meeting with Bulgarian officials, and allies are sought at all levels of government. The change must come from the inside. Bulgarian politicians should show courage and a will to let the citizens hold their government to account. The Bulgarian people have said that the issue must be addressed, the Ambassador said.
Looking at Bulgarian legislation related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and EU recommendations for Bulgarian reforms, the diplomat said it is time to show a political will to approve the necessary legislation.
/RY/
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