On May 9 2008, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev had a work lunch with ambassadors from European Union member states to Bulgaria to present two new members of his Cabinet with key portfolios.

The duo are Interior Minister Mihail Mikov and Deputy Prime Minister without portfolio in charge of EU funds spending Meglena Plougchieva, but the lunch was also attended by Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin, European Affairs Minister Gergana Grancharova and Justice Minister Miglena Tacheva.

“The main topic of our conversation was of course the Day of Europe, as well as all the questions related to the interaction between Bulgaria and the European Commission (EC), the EU institutions and member states,” Stanishev told journalists afterwards.

The talks focused on minister Plougchieva and her work, as well as on the different instruments she had for the monitoring, coordination and control of the agencies responsible for EU funding and for communication with the EC, Stanishev said.

Interior Minister Mikov presented before the ambassadors his main opinion on the work of the Interior Ministry. The mechanism for cooperation and verification, set up to address shortcomings in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime, was also discussed.

“Bulgaria has always highly appreciated this mechanism,” Stanishev said. “We informed the ambassadors of the ambition and energy the new ministers have. It is always good to have fresh blood."