It is known that Bulgaria has shown high growth rates in recent years. This growth refers also to the foreign investment, coming from European companies, in the majority, implemented within a positive business and political environment, which is accompanied by a very satisfactory tax rate. The enterprises are taxed at 10 percent in profits, ranking the country as the most attractive business environment in South Eastern Europe.

It is also known that the country fights, on an every day basis, against corruption and organised crime, and ensures the transparency of the judicial system with new, effective laws, that guarantee the national security and the confrontation against any kind of crime for State Officials. Measures have been taken against tax evasion, unpaid duties, money laundering, prostitution and trafficking, drugs, etc. We, the European businessmen and managers, who have direct daily contact with Bulgaria, derive benefit from these important changes that take place.

From this perspective, questions have arisen about the deviation from the principle of solidarity to a country - member of the European Union, especially under the present global economic crisis. Therefore, an objective evaluation of the new situation, in the light of new facts, should take place. In any case, lots of things have to be done, as the country should fulfill the requirements of the European Community. However, this does not justify at all, the tough reaction from the part of European Commission by cutting off the funding, while other European countries have been acquitted for more important offenses (Germany Post case).

However, cutting off the funding, which indicates that "someone" is looking for "revenge," in an unfair and improper way, has a direct negative impact not only in the country, but also to all European businessmen and investors, who are seeing their development to be suspended. From time to time, articles are published in various European newspapers, presenting the whole country (nation) to be synonymous to the Mafia. This point of view is unacceptable, false and suspicious and we wonder whether most of us, living there and in other countries of Eastern Europe, have a totally different aspect of the real world, or maybe some other are bothered with the progress of the country, especially with its policy in the energy sector and therefore they try to punish Bulgaria. Whatever the reason is, the fact is that the foreigner businessmen and investors pay for the consequences, along with the citizens of Bulgaria.

The business community is monitoring closely the facts in South Eastern Europe and has the faith that the future of these countries is identical to the future of their business. The continuing and painful effort of this country to integrate the EC Legislation and culture has given positive outcomes, and the population adopts rapidly the new data. European Union Officers should be concerned with this, in order to show the proper behavior.

Panagiotis Koutsikos is Chairman of the Greek-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and BSEC - BC-Greece.