EU-Report Accession Bulgaria

Chapter 27: Common foreign and security policy

Progress since the last Regular Report

Since the previous Regular Report, Bulgaria has continued to position its foreign and security policy in line with that of the European Union.

The regular political dialogue established by the Association Agreement with Bulgaria is proceeding smoothly and Bulgaria has played a constructive role within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including meetings at the level of Political Directors, European Correspondents and Working Groups.

Bulgaria has shown a keen interest in continuing its active participation in the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). It has taken part in exchanges on this subject in the EU + 15 format (i.e. non-EU European NATO members and candidates for accession to the EU).

As regards alignment with EU statements and declarations, Bulgaria has regularly aligned its positions with those of the Union and, when invited to do so, has associated itself with the Union's joint actions.

Since the 2001 Regular Report, progress has been made with the adoption of the necessary legislative framework for effective participation in the CFSP. Bulgaria has confirmed its willingness to adopt the entire CFSP acquis upon accession and to comply with the commitments resulting from it. Bulgaria ratified the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court. It has aligned with the EU Plan of Action of 21 September and with four Common Positions on combating terrorism. It has ratified all international conventions relating to terrorism.

Bulgaria has continued to comply with international sanctions and restrictive measures imposed by the UN and the EU.

The Law on Amendment and Supplement to the Foreign Trade with arms and with dualpurpose goods and technologies Act was adopted in July 2002. The law introduced a list of dual-use goods identical to the EU list adopted in 2001.During the reporting period, Bulgaria confirmed its preparedness to contribute both to the EU Rapid Intervention Force missions and to EU civilian instruments for crisis management. It participated in the Capabilities Improvement Conference in November 2001 and the EU +15 Defence Ministers' meeting on 14 May 2002. It has shown an active interest in participating in the forthcoming EU Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bulgaria has made considerable efforts to support international peacekeeping missions, and has participated in a series of UN, KFOR, SFOR, ISAF and OSCE peacekeeping and observer operations. Bulgaria became a non-permanent UN Security Council member for the period 2002-2003.

Overall assessment

Bulgaria continues to participate in regional cooperation schemes, such as the trilateral cooperation established with Greece and Romania, Romania and Turkey, FYROM and Albania, and Greece and Turkey. It takes part in the Stability Pact, playing an active role in regional fora such as the Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial Process (SEDM), the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) and the Southeast Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP). Relations with most neighbours remain good or have even improved (Romania, FRY).

Bulgaria has subscribed to the content and principles contained in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Export.

As regards administrative capacity to implement the provisions relating to the CFSP, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an administrative set-up compatible with EU CFSP structures. However, it is unclear whether the Ministry has established permanent Political Director and European Correspondent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is connected to the Associated Correspondents' Network information system, through which the EU communicates with associated partners within the CFSP.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that Bulgaria was well placed to effectively fulfil its obligations in this field.

Since the Opinion, Bulgaria has made steady progress in aligning with the CFSP acquis, and its alignment is in general satisfactory at this stage.

Negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed. Bulgaria has not requested any transitional arrangements in this area. Bulgaria is generally meeting the commitments it made in them accession negotiations in this field.

Bulgaria should focus its further efforts on ensuring that its foreign policy orientation remains in line with the Union's developing foreign and security policy, that draft legislation is adopted and implemented and that the development of the necessary administrative structures is finalised. In particular, Bulgaria should ensure that its national policies and practice conform to the EU's common positions, should defend these positions in international fora and should ensure that all sanctions and restrictive measures can be duly implemented.

© EU Commission -- 2003-03-30