Finnish ambassador to Bulgaria Kauko Jamsen called for increased political and economic transparency in Bulgaria.

According to the latest poll by the Centre for Study of Democracy (CSD) corruption in Bulgaria was increasing, mediapool.bg said. The large number of companies complaining from corruption and the CSD poll caused sufficient EU concern, Jamsen said.

The Finnish EU presidency would support Bulgaria and Romania's efforts in the fight against corruption, said Jamsen.

Bulgaria and Romania should fulfil EU accession engagements to guarantee democracy in Europe, Jamsen said.

Developments in the justice and home affairs sphere were the chief priority of the Finnish EU presidency. After Bulgaria and Romania’s EU entry the union would have various anti-corruption measures, which needed to be unified, Jamsen said.

Finnish presidency priorities also included the increase of public trust in the EU through improved political transparency, Jamsen said.

The third main priority was boosting EU economic competitiveness, said he.