The transition to the euro in Bulgaria happened a long time ago. The positives and negatives for the ordinary person have already been consumed.
This opinion was expressed to the Bulgarian National Radio by Kalin Slavov, executive director of "Transparency Without Borders".
"All forms of reforms have been carried out in recent years, structural reforms. At one time there were 4 major anti-corruption administrations. The direction has not changed. In the last 15 years, we have been standing like a straight line on a monitor that shows the patient's condition," he commented in relation to entering the eurozone, institutional changes and corruption.
"The fight against corruption is related to inert systems that have the property of sucking in people who come as new faces, as bearers of a new morality and a new culture, and transforming them in their own image and likeness."
The EU directive on combating corruption is in the final stages. The directive is in a very delicate area - criminal justice, a territory reserved for member states. That is why there are concerns that the envisaged pan-European standards for anti-corruption actions may be reduced at the final stage, Slavov pointed out.
"In this directive too, the participation of national states remains in the shadow of national interests."
Why was the directive not communicated to business so that it could participate in the formation of the Bulgarian position, he asked. In his opinion, it is convenient for politicians to say – Brussels wants this, but we, as a full member state, do not take advantage of our rights to form a full-fledged position.
Many of the measures envisaged in this directive are aimed at business and NGOs. Business will be very seriously engaged in anti-corruption actions, Kalin Slavov explained in the program "Above All".
The directive also provides that the NGO sector will have certain procedural rights in criminal proceedings in protection of the public interest. In view of the rating of these organizations and the fact that they are outside the system, they could be a breath of fresh air, he believes.
If we continue to delay the election of an ombudsman, there is a danger that as a country we will lose our status for direct participation through this institution in UN meetings, Slavov warned.
"Looking only at our internal problems, which are very often inflated, without real content, we very often miss Bulgaria's positions."
The logic of constitutionally established institutions such as the ombudsman, the Bulgarian National Bank, and the Court of Auditors is being replaced, said the executive director of "Transparency Without Borders".
"This appendix - to see these people in the role of acting prime ministers - deforms the logic behind these institutions and hinders their work."