EC ADVISES BULGARIA TO WRITE-OFF SOME TAX RELIEFS AGREED WITH THE U.S.

Bulgaria should write-off some provisions for tax and customs reliefs contained in the bi-lateral agreement with the United States for technical assistance, demanded the European Commission, announced the press service of the EC.

The bi-lateral agreement with the U.S., which provides exemption from customs duties and taxes in terms of the imports of goods financed by the United States, as well as of goods and services purchased on the Bulgarian market with the funds under the Technical Assistance Programme, was concluded before Bulgaria's accession to the European Union.

Tax and customs exemptions applied by Bulgaria under the bi-lateral agreement fail to comply with any of the provisions provided by EU legislation. After Bulgaria's accession, we had to comply with the terms and conditions under the relevant agreement or, if that was not possible, we had to withdraw, indicated Brussels. The European Commission's request is in the form of a reasoned standpoint and represents a second stage of the proceedings for the establishment of a default on some liabilities. If within two months, the relevant amendments are not introduced, the EC may approach the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).