Timmermans sees improvements in Bulgarian children's home

Timmermans sees improvements in Bulgarian children's home

News item | 10-09-2008 | 14:15

‘A lot still has to be done, but it’s looking good,’ said European affairs minister Frans Timmermans on 9 September, after his follow-up visit to a children's home in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

‘The health of the children in Mogilino is being monitored every day by specialists from UNICEF. But more significantly, the Bulgarian authorities have decided to close the home down,’ said Mr Timmermans.

Earlier this year, the BBC broadcast a documentary, Bulgaria’s abandoned children, about the sorry state of the Mogilino children’s home in Sofia. The programme aroused considerable indignation in Bulgaria and other EU member states. In February, Mr Timmermans visited the home to see the situation with his own eyes. Yesterday, he returned to see whether it has improved since.

Mr Timmermans met Didi, one of the children featured in the BBC documentary. ‘I’m glad things are going better for Didi,’ said Mr Timmermans. ‘But to ensure that all the children receive good care in the future, the Netherlands will have to continue supporting the Bulgarian government.’

To help raise the quality of Bulgarian child welfare, Mr Timmermans has signed a 300,000-euro contract with UNICEF, which will assist local authorities in improving delivery and draw up regional social services plans.

Minister Timmermans is on a working visit to Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia from 9 to 11 September. Talks in Bularia and Romania centred on the European Commission reports on the insufficient efforts made by the two countries to tackle corruption and organised crime, and to manage large flows of European funds. In Bucharest he also spoke with representatives of the Romanian government about efforts to tackle corruption and achieve reforms of the justice system.

During Mr Timmermans’ visit to Macedonia, he will meet members of the new government, which took office on 26 July, and discuss the country's prospects for joining the EU as well as opportunities for deepening and broadening bilateral relations. Mr Timmermans and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki will also be signing a memorandum of understanding, which will expand the partnership between the Netherlands and Macedonia.

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