The latest European Commission report under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism is the most positive one we have had so far, and I categorically oppose the stance of Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova that the report is a heavy slap in the face for Bulgaria.

This is what Minister of Justice Tsetska Tsacheva told the press after the European Commission published the report earlier today. She also pointed to the overall positive tone of voice of the report which offers a lot of unambiguous assessments and a series of positive findings.

The report gives positive assessments both for the work of the current government and for the general situation in the country. This pertains to the work of specialized bodies for combating organized crime, the minister of justice also said.

Regardless of the positive assessments and the confirmation of progress made on the 17 recommendations from the annual report published in January 2017, it is explicitly said that work should continue which can only provide us with motivation for meeting remaining targets faster, Tsacheva said.