The Constitution changes accepted on first reading, the charges for high-level corruption and magistrate training courses are among the developments which would likely produce a positive European Commission evaluation.

The EC will issue its final report on Bulgaria’s reform progress in May, Dnevnik newspaper reported. This report would be crucial for determining whether the country would join the EU on January 1 2007.

Bulgaria’s Parliament issued a national report on accession reforms progress on Wednesday. This report would be used by European experts who already started drafting the EC final evaluation.

Europe continues criticising Bulgaria for the lack of decisive measures against organised crime and corruption. The Cabinet hopes to change negative attitudes through the introduction of a software system for court proceeding distribution. The system guarantees impartial assessment.

Thirty-five corruption trials of supreme magistrates have been launched, as well. Among them figures investigations of deals concluded during Stefan Sofianski’s term as Sofia mayor.

Romania, which expects to join the EU together with Bulgaria, sent a progress report to the EC yesterday.