The Bulgarian MEP from GERB/EPP and Vice-Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, Emil Radev, will be a key figure in the work on the new "Justice" program of the European Union, covering the period from 2028 to 2034. The news was spread by the GERB press center. Radev's selection as rapporteur on behalf of the European People's Party (EPP) in the Committee on Legal Affairs, which will coordinate the work on the dossier together with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, highlights his leading role in this process.
The planned "Justice" program is a major part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU, planned for the period from 2028 to 2034. According to the new proposal, the program's budget will undergo a significant increase, reaching more than double – up to 798 million euros. Upon the adoption of the relevant regulation, the European Parliament will have an equal role with the Council, which will be achieved through the renewed legislative procedure, as noted by the press center.
According to Emil Radev, the task undertaken is extremely responsible. He emphasized that the "Justice" program not only offers funding for projects, but also represents a key tool for strengthening the rule of law and strengthening trust between the member states.
The MEP was categorical that the increase in funding will lead to increased support for more effective and digitized judicial systems. This will facilitate the cross-border recognition of judicial decisions and improve access to justice for all citizens and businesses.
Radev added that the training of judges and lawyers remains a key priority within the program. He emphasized the importance of this training as a prerequisite for the consistent application of European Union law in the different member countries. In addition, the MEP emphasized the need to deepen cross-border cooperation, especially in the fight against serious crimes such as corruption and organized crime. In this regard, Radev stressed the need for wider use of digital tools in the field of justice.
Information on Emil Radev's website reveals that he has been an MEP from the EPP/GERB since 2014. Since July 2019, he has held the post of Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament. In addition, he is a member of the Committee on Petitions and of the delegation in the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, as well as a substitute member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and of the delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula. Radev is also Vice-Chairman of the Intergroup for Animal Welfare in the European Parliament.