Sat 03 Mar 2007Balkan neighbours defend record on corruptionBULGARIA:Bulgaria and Romania have defended their
records on crime and corruption during their first three months as
EU members, in reports aimed at persuading Brussels not to freeze
vital funding.The Balkan neighbours had until today to file details of their
efforts to reduce the rampant graft that threatened their bids for
accession, and which prompted Brussels to reserve the right to
withhold millions of euro if it is not satisfied with their
reforms.