Standart News

- Your Excellency, you served as representative of the King of Spain to Bulgaria in the period 1993-1997. When you left, Bulgaria was dreaming of EU accession amid scathing criticism over rampant corruption and organized crime. Today, Bulgaria is a full member of EU, but the criticism remains almost unchanged.
- I was in your country during some of the hardest years of the transition to democracy and market economy. Judging by some figures of that time, we can fairly assume that Bulgaria's situation was quite complicated – corruption, organized crime, etc. Organized crime and corruption as a social phenomena have special significance in a country like Bulgaria, because, unlike many other countries, here they came into being at the same time when the principles of democracy were established. This is why we are speaking of corruption and organized crime that is interwoven in the state apparatus. Nevertheless, I remember that at the time I was in Bulgaria life was calm and safe.
- The contracted murders, however, were at their peak then?
- Nevertheless, life was calm and safe as long as one was not involved with certain circles. This is what we talked about in a couple of days with Bulgaria's Deputy PM and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov. I told him I think two parallel levels of security has been formed - the civil security which is very stable and the security in certain circles which null. Squaring of accounts, assassinations and kidnapping dominate the disputable relations in these circles. Powerful businessmen I once knew are no longer alive for this reason. The situation back then was further complicated because of the fact that Bulgaria was on its path towards closer relations with the EU. At that time I was much more optimistic than you Bulgarians were, with regards to Bulgaria's rapid accession to the EU. I remember that many people would say: "We are not going to be accessed to the EU." I would always reply: "You would see that it will happen, perhaps in 2002." I happened later but the process was successful.
- Bulgaria's incumbent Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov was elected namely because of the promise he gave to deal with corruption. He is one of the few, not to say the only politician for the last 20 years who has enjoyed such a high credit rating. What is your opinion of his promises and his future in your capacity of a diplomat, an envoy of a country situated on the other end of Europe?
- Judging a politician is a hard task. To give an overall assessment of the activities of a politician, lots of aspects need to be analyzed, one cannot judge solely on impressions and superficial ideas. The truth is that the current government has been charged with huge hope from the people and judging from my talks with the PM and his deputies it has been clear to me that their will runs in the same direction and this direction is towards transformation of the country. I believe they are working on it but this is not a task achievable for four months. We will be able to give an assessment in a year or two, or three. Undoubtedly all ministers follow a common line and aim at bringing corruption at its lowest possible level, undoubtedly the PM has the will to make this come true.
- He has the will, but will he be successful?
- The operation is not easy and the government is well aware of this fact. Corruption has penetrated all state strata and organized crime is strong, but PM Borissov has his trumps: he is determined and influential enough. He knows where the "surprises" can come from, because both he and Deputy PM Tsvetan Tsvetanov have worked for the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior. Let's support them, let's put our trust in their efforts. Otherwise, we'll enter in a vicious circle without exit and come to the deadlock of desperation. When it comes to Spain, the country is engaged in a serious preparation for the EU presidency it is to take in 2010. Spain will do its best to help Bulgaria cope with this situation. Of course, there are two key issues - how to overcome the world financial crisis, which has affected all the countries, and the fundamental question about European reconstruction after the adoption of the Lisbon treaty: the application of this treaty, the functioning of Europe after a permanent president and a permanent supreme representative are chosen, and this will happen soon, the further work of EC President Jose Manuel Barroso, the commissionaires to be elected, as well as the formation of an EU diplomatic corpse. These are all issues that the leaders of the two countries should discuss in person, and not in a phone call or via any kind of mail.

Vladislav Punchev