The EU is likely to request changes to Bulgaria's constitution, EP rapporteur for Bulgaria Geoffrey Van Orden said. Van Orden had talks yesterday with Interior Minister Roumen Petkov. The bulk of changes would be related to court proceeding and the pre-trial phase of an investigation. Clarity is needed in the workings of the prosecution and the investigation. Some progress had been made but more work was needed, Van Orden said.
Van Orden also discussed constitutional changes with members of parliament. Without amendments, reform of Bulgaria's judicial system cannot be implemented, Van Orden said.
EP President Josep Borrel was also on a three-day visit to Bulgaria. He said his main goal was to encourage Bulgarian officials that EU accession on the date scheduled was possible. Borrel met Speaker of Parliament Georgi Pirinksi. The EP has always supported Bulgaria on its way to the EU, Borrel said. Today he will meet Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Novinar newspaper reported.