On June 3, 2002 the Center for the Study of Democracy hosted a Round Table on
Anti-Corruption in Bulgaria: the Role of Judiciary and Law
Enforcement Institutions, featuring a special presentation by
Mr. Antonio Di Pietro, a Member of the European Parliament .
 Mr. Antonio Di Pietro received his degree in law in 1978 and in
1980, after graduation, specialized in administrative law. He has
worked as a Municipal Secretary, Police Commissioner, Deputy State
Prosecutor for Bergamo and Milan, Consultant to the Ministry of
Justice and to the Parliamentary Committee on Terrorist Attacks and
Terrorism. As a magistrate in the period 1992 - 1994, he lead the
"Mani Pulite" operation for combating political corruption in
Italy. In 1996 he was Minister for Public Works in the cabinet of
Romano Prodi and in 1997 he was elected member of the Italian
Senate. Since 1999, Mr. Di Pietro has been a member of the European
Parliament from the Group of the European Liberal, Democratic and
Reform Party.
The objective of the Round Table was to facilitate the process of
preventing and counteracting corruption in Bulgaria with a special
focus on the role of the Judiciary and the other relevant
law-enforcement agencies. The discussion was attended by MP's,
government officials, including representatives of the Ministry of
Justice and the Ministry of Interior, magistrates, representatives
of non-governmental organizations, and the media.
 The event was opened
by Dr. Maria Yordanova, Head of the CSD Law Program, who
outlined the important role of the Judiciary and law enforcement
institutions for preventing and combating corruption. Mr.
Antonio Di Pietro pointed out that the fight against corruption
should be carried out by both political and economic means,
underlining the significance of strengthening political ethics. He
also outlined the need of improving criminal proceedings
legislation as a prerequisite for effective prevention of
corruption. The Minister of Justice Mr. Anton Stankov
presented the measures undertaken by the Bulgarian Government and
the Ministry of Justice for combating corruption, focusing on the
adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Program
for its implementation. The Chairman of the Supreme Administrative
Court Mr. Vladislav Slavov briefed the participants about
the activities and some effective measures undertaken by the
Supreme Administrative Court.  Dr. Silvy Chernev, Chairman of
the Court of Arbitration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Trade and
Industry, presented the anti-corruption dimensions of the
mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Nikolay
Kamov, MP, Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign
Policy, Defense and Security, outlined some possible legislative
amendments concerning the financing of political parties aimed at
limiting political corruption.
Following the Round Table Mr. Antonio Di Pietro participated at a
special press conference for the media.
Agenda of the Round Table (MS Word, 21 kb)
Media Coverage of
the Round Table
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