European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) demanded Bulgarian institutions to cease document processing of candidates for EU funding in case of fraud signals, a project for co-operation between OLAF and Bulgaria’s Anti Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS).

Franz-Hermann Bruner, director general of OLAF, presented the project during his visit to Bulgaria on February 26 2007, medaipool.bg said.

OLAF also requires Bulgaria to create a register of people who made use of EU funds illegally.

According to OLAF such register will be useful for prevention of fraud in the future.

Mediapool.bg said that the project was discussed at the same time that a scandal for drainage of 7.5 million euro from SAPARD was uncovered.

OLAF signaled Bulgaria about the drainage. The authorities’ reaction was a good start for the future co-operation with Bulgaria, OLAF said.