In one of the toughest measures taken against a member-state, the European Union Commission (EC) suspended its huge financial assistance to Bulgaria for not taking any measures to tackle allegations of corruption and organized crime in that Balkan country.
The EC has also frozen payments for major infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, expressing concern over insufficient control on the funds.
The freezing of funds will continue until the Bulgarian government takes the necessary measures to curb corruption and organized crime, EC spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said, after presenting relevant reports Wednesday.
The EU Commission withdrew the accreditation of two Bulgarian government agencies that manage EU funds, cutting off channels that pay about $393 million earmarked to build up institutions in that country.
In addition, a $181-million funding for highway construction and $190 million allocated for Bulgaria's agricultural sector were also suspended.
A report published Wednesday describes a "growing sense of frustration" among other EU countries that have sent experts to support Bulgaria.
The EU Commission also sharply criticized Romania. However, the executive arm of the European bloc spared it from punishments for the time being.
Both the former members of the Warsaw Pact countries, which joined EU in January last year, have been under close scrutiny for the past 18 months.
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