Statement by Minister of Transport and Communications Korman Ismailov

In connection with the public statement made this morning by Ms Neli Andreeva, Acting Deputy Director General for Strategy and Administration, containing serious allegations of corruption and the existence of a “corruption model” within the system of the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), the Minister of Transport and Communications Korman Ismailov provides the following factual information:

As early as 19.02, on the day he assumed office, Minister Korman Ismailov issued a written order to all public enterprises within the system of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the temporary suspension of all payments. The purpose of this measure was to improve the financial discipline of public enterprises and to strengthen oversight of the use of public funds. As became clear from Ms Andreeva’s statement, this order was not complied with by the NRIC.

On 24.02, by order of the Minister, a comprehensive audit was commissioned of specific public procurement procedures, the contracts concluded, and the criteria used for the allocation of funds through indexation under existing contracts with companies implementing projects assigned by the NRIC. The audit was initiated in response to numerous signals received. The deadline for its completion is 20 working days.

On 02.03, by order of the Minister, Todor Vasilev was relieved of his duties as a member of the Management Board of NRIC, and Maria Genova was appointed as an independent member of the Management Board pending the completion of a competitive selection procedure. Ms Maria Genova is the only appointment within NRIC made by Minister Korman Ismailov, following coordination with his political cabinet.

Since 04.03, Ms Neli Andreeva has been absent from work, having duly submitted a medical certificate.

Today, at 10:30, following her statement in the national media, Minister Ismailov extended an invitation to Ms Andreeva to meet with him and the Ministry’s political cabinet, at which she would present all information in her possession regarding corruption schemes within NRIC. However, she declined the meeting.

These statements and actions raise a number of questions.

Is her statement to the media, made in her capacity as an official with high integrity occupying a senior state leadership position, a genuine, albeit significantly delayed, attempt to combat corruption and organised crime in the sector, or is it a direct media attack against the Minister?

It appears that Ms Andreeva possesses information implicating the former management of the NRIC, as well as specific individuals and companies, in corruption. In this context, through the media, Minister Ismailov addresses several questions to Ms Andreeva:

1. What is the specific “corruption model” within the National Railway Infrastructure Company, how does it function, and who are the individuals involved in corruption, holding or having held managerial and other positions within NRIC, to whom she refers by name? Which companies are implicated?
2. As a senior employee of the company over the past more than six years, was she aware of this model and, if not, when did she become aware of it?
3. Has she herself, through action or inaction, contributed to its existence? Is Ms Andreeva aware of who the “puppet masters” in the sector are and who the shadow power brokers operating behind the scenes might be?
4. If she was aware of these matters, why did she not raise the alarm publicly in the same manner before previous ministers and the competent institutions? 

The fight against corruption cannot be conducted through insinuations and half-statements, but through facts, evidence and the assumption of personal responsibility. Minister Ismailov expects Ms Andreeva to present her answers publicly, as well as to submit officially all the information in her possession, and calls on all conscientious employees within the system to report any irregularities without fear.

Over the past six years, Neli Andreeva has successively held the following positions: