Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev held meetings in Strasbourg with representatives of the European Parliament, including members of the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists Riszhard Czarnecki, Ladislav Ilčić and Bogdan Rzonca.
Main topic of the meetings was the opportunities for strengthening the cooperation between Bulgarian and European institutions, with the aim of strengthening the partnership between Bulgaria and the other EU member states in the field of administration of justice, as well as the protection of Euro-Atlantic values.
Another emphasis in the talks between Ivan Geshev and the MEPs was put on the rule of law in Bulgaria and the guarantees for upholding the rule of law by the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria at local level. The Prosecutor General emphasized that during his term of office he has made and will continue to make efforts for the Bulgarian citizens to increase their trust in the law enforcement authorities. He also highlighted the active role of the prosecutors and investigators on ongoing investigations of crimes that put at risk basic European values and threaten the security of Bulgarian society, on the fight against corruption and the misuse of European funds.
The MEPs expressed interest in the measures applied by the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office to counteract and prevent the influence of third countries in internal politics. The topic is of great importance for the European institutions in the context of the European Union's intransigence towards attempts to push Russian influence into the member states. Ivan Geshev explained that the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office works with a focus on crimes financed with Russian funds and attempts to violate European sanctions against the Russian Federation.
The visit of the Prosecutor General to Strasbourg was on invitation by the LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the European Parliament.
Ivan Geshev's meetings with the MEPs are in the spirit of the traditionally successful exchange of opinions and support between the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office and European institutions.