Prime Minister Sergei Stansihev told a press conference on June 2 that he accepted the resignations of Economy Minister Roumen Ovcharov and Justice Minister Georgi Petkanov.

“I accept the resignation and believe that it is a strong political decision,” Stanishev said. Ovcharov and Stanishev evaluated the situation and decided that a Cabinet change was the best move.

Recently head of the National Investigative Service (NSI) Angel Alexandrov said that Ovcharov was involved in a corruption controversy. Prosecution investigation found insufficient evidence.

Stanishev also accepted the decision of Justice Minister Georgi Petkanov to resign. Petkanov said that he was leaving office due to personal reasons.

“We have the will to undertake steps that meet the expectations of Bulgarians and of the EU,” Stanishev said. Reforms should continue at the same pace but Bulgaria expected positive European Commission evaluation of its progress, Stanishev said.