The political controversy in Bulgaria involving alleged corruption and in which the name of Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov has been mentioned, was alarming, but proved that institutions in Bulgaria were active, former European Parliament (EP) rapporteur for Bulgaria Geoffrey Van Orden said.
Still, the institutions had to achieve concrete results, he said, as quoted by Focus news agency.
The controversy began when National Investigation Service head Angel Alexandrov was alleged to have solicited bribes, and in turn alleged that Ovcharov had threatened him.
Van Orden also said that it was extremely interesting that Ovcharov was part of Bulgarias official delegation to Russia, bearing in mind the scandal. Bulgarias energy dependence on Russia was negative for the country, Van Orden said.
According to Van Orden, corruption and organised crime in Bulgaria had worried the EP for a long time. The corruption scandal was a great disappointment for all Bulgarians. They wanted an administration they could trust, he said.
Van Orden refused to comment on whether the Cabinet in Bulgaria should resign.
