The European Commission report on Bulgaria’s reform progress should be seen neither as praise nor solely as criticism, EC representation to Bulgaria head Michael Humphreys said.

The report shows Bulgaria where it should direct its effort in the coming months to achieve reform progress, Humphreys told national private channel bTV.

One of the problems the country should focus its efforts on is public murders, Humphreys said.  These lead to serious suspicions, he said.

Another thing Bulgaria should focus on is providing specific evidence that its fight against organised crime and corruption is productive.

Bulgaria should be able to sentence high-level officials on charges of corruption, Humphreys said. There is no specific requirement for the number of such verdicts, he said, since the issue depended entirely on local decisions.

EC was not the institution to determine who is guilty, Humphreys said. All such decisions were in the hands of Bulgaria.

In the beginning of the coming year the EC will give its next evaluation of the country’s progress. By that time Bulgarian authorities should also come up with their own report to ensure dialogue and progress.