Bulgaria - the big questionmark on the EU map

Yesterday the expected monitoring report of the EU Comission was announced. No surprises. Bulgaria is performing very bad in 6 areas:

=> setting up a proper integrated administration and control system in agriculture – agricultural payments represent a significant part of the EU budget. Any member state must guarantee the proper spending of such funds. Any shortcoming in this respect may delay the disbursement of funds or give rise to correction or recovery of the EU taxpayers money;
=> building-up of rendering collection and treatment facilities in line with EU acquis on TSE and animal by-products – food safety is a main concern for all EU citizens, food products must fully respect all EU requirements;
=> tangible results in investigating and prosecuting organised crime networks - the existence of organised crime puts into question the rule of law in Bulgaria, it affects directly all citizens and their basic rights;
=> more efficient and systematic implementation of laws for the fight against fraud and corruption – corruption undermines public and business confidence in Bulgaria. It represents ongoing risks of fraud against the EU budget and funds, indirectly it has consequences on current EU taxpayers, it also hampers the economic development of Bulgaria by deteriorating the business climate;
=> intensified enforcement of anti-money laundering provisions – money laundering is a financial crime, linked to terrorist activities, tax evasion or false accounting. The fight of such a criminal activity is key for the security and financial interest of all Bulgarian and EU citizens;
=>strengthened financial control over structural and cohesion funds - it is in the direct interest of all Bulgarian citizens to fully benefit from EU funds, in particular for important infrastructural projects, so as to allow Bulgaria to catch up with other Member States and to become fully integrated in the EU


More info:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/201&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr


OK, we've made a progress. But yet some of the most cruical problems remain. Like crime networks, corruption and money laundering, and financial controll over the stuctural&cohesion funds. Areas which, in my opinion, need a serious "touch".

We have several months until next review of our performance. Several months to show improvement in these areas. Otherwise - no EU membership in 2007.

I really don't consider the European Union as the entity which should be the "destiny", the ultimate goal of Bulgaria as a state. Like every huge entity comprised of diverse states, they have huge problems. And who knows what future may bring? Probably EU doesn't have long future at all?

Nevertheless, unfortunately, I should admit that probably there's no other option for Bulgaria except being EU member in order to progress. And to get out of the morass we've sank into by ourselves. You see, there's a huge apathy for national walfare, there's only interest for individual welfare. And this is the destructive factor which leads us to the deepest waters.

So without the "push" of the EU institutions, God only knows what could have happened to us till now. And, moreover, what could happen to us in FUTURE. We just need to be dependent on a "Great power" - in this case - be part of it, but yet accomplishing the needed requirements.

That's Bulgaria, unfortunately. We don't do something good just for ourselves. People always blame the Great Powers for their misery. But the problem is within ourselves. We just don't stress on our interests and don't work for welfare of Bulgaria because we want it, but because someone else tells us so. Because we're egoistic nation, that's what we are. Nothing more, nothing less.

Those who could change something - they surrendered to the system - either emigrated, or became part of the system. That's the brutal truth. Hopefully EU will push us make some improvements the hard way. And these people come back. Otherwise... how do you see Bulgaria in 2050?

What about you? If you, dear reader, are Bulgarian, what do you think? Have you surrendered to the system? What values do you have? Are they the best strategy for you to prosper? Don't answer straightly, think it over again. Be honest...to yourself.