Quotables

Тhe 21st century threats from non-traditional sources need to be recognized, including cyber terrorism, links between organized crime and international terrorism, and energy security. These are threats that should be addressed proactively, as opposed to the largely reactive security policies of the 20th century and through greater engagement between developed and developing countries based on three components: security, economic opportunity, and increased rule of law and democratic governance.

The report of the Center for the Study of Democracy (Energy and Good Governance in Bulgaria) provides an excellent outline of the main challenges that your country is facing. It is obvious to us that the Bulgarian Government and its partners are already prepared and able to make choices and lead by example in regards to the transparency in the region’s energy sector. We, from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, believe that transparency is necessary to fight corruption. The transparency also ensures lower prices.

Every year Europol prepares an Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA) report with contribution from EU Member States and third countries. The report tries to identify the priorities in countering the organized crime. The criminal groups have strategy so we need to have а counter-strategy. It is more important to make sure that we identify the criminal groups globally. Particularly important for achieving these goals is the cooperation of the law enforcement authorities with the academic community.

Achieving greater energy security is very difficult. It is a time consuming endeavor, one that requires a strategically focused vision, intelligent partnerships, active planning, dedication to execution, and tangible results. As I have said many times, the choices made in the energy sector by the current government will have many ramifications for not only generations of Bulgarians, but for generations in the region.

The opposite of diversification is monopoly... that is the situation most of our countries find ourselves in when you get into non-diverse situation. It creates problems in assuring yourself of an adequate supply of energy under any circumstances. You are subject to having your energy supply cut off, sometimes for reasons that have nothing to do with you. It also very much limits your pricing power. A monopolist charges you whatever the monopolist wants to charge. And if you have no other alternatives, and if this is a critical element of your national economy and your national security, where do you turn? What are the things that you need to do in order to ensure that you have a maximum amount of diversity available to you under the circumstances?

At this moment of global economic crisis, no one of us can afford the staggering costs of crime and corruption. And at this moment, after two decades of sacrifice and painful transition, no one can tolerate the misappropriation of even the smallest amount of EU assistance monies. And after all the good and positive things that have been achieved here in this country, none of us will deny that it is time for the negative images that have appeared in headlines and satirical artwork to be replaced with clear evidence of problems solved and of a better future being built.

The state loses or has revenues, not subjected to taxation, amounting to BGN 3,7 billions. If we calculate the loss to this amount in “Obligatory social securities”, we will see that it is 1,25 billion, which equals the planned expenditures for за pensions for three months in 2009.

We cannot sit back and pat ourselves on the back. The work to consolidate and preserve democratic gains must continue, in Bulgaria and indeed in all democracies. Maintaining the institutions of the rule of law and justice constitutes a foundation of democracy. We have to avoid the monopolization of government by a handful of powerful elites who capture access to the political institutions and public administration. This can be achieved only by ensuring competitiveness and civic engagement.

The book presented by the Center for the Study of Democracy – with financial support of the European Union – proves just that, namely that Bulgaria has not made its homework as far as the fight against organized crime and high level corruption is concerned. This has been said by a number of official political visitors both inside the country and abroad. The question of the study is "What can be done against the increasingly brazen symbiosis of policy makers and civil servants with grey business".

The British Government has been pleased to be a partner with CSD. The project had as its objective to improve the effectiveness of criminal justice in the border regions. This project is important for the European Union as a whole. Following accession, Bulgaria now manages over 1,100 kilometers of the EU's external border, with three non-EU countries (Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey) as well as the Black Sea. And for the UK, this project is another example of the excellent bilateral co-operation we enjoy with Bulgaria, working together now as partners within the EU in tackling shared challenges.