January 1st marks the first day of Bulgaria taking over the EU Council presidency. It comes precisely ten years after the Balkan country joined the EU -- but Bulgaria's new role is causing a light to be shone on the nation's undesirable record on fighting corruption. Our correspondent Jack Parrock reports.

JACK PARROCK BRUSSELS The pomp and ceremony will take over for a week or so as Bulgaria takes up the rolling six month presidency of the EU council following Estonia - but it won't be long before the hard work starts. Bulgaria is the EU's poorest country and according to Transparency International, its most corrupt. A spokesperson for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU told CGTN, fighting corruption is a key priority for the government. The first step towards solving a problem is to recognize it. Bulgaria has recognized its problem and is working on it. But the country's president Rumen Radev says he's ready to veto an anti-corruption bill which was passed by the parliament in Sofia at the end of last year under pressure from the EU to do so.

The Bulgarian government has set its priorities for the period as the future of Europe and young people, security and stability, the western Balkans and the digital economy. But the EU remains embroiled in the Brexit negotiations which are likely to dominate Bulgaria's presidency as discussions begin on the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

The European Union's asylum system is also up for an overhaul - migration remains a top priority with large numbers of people continuing to try to enter the EU. The motto of the Bulgarian presidency is "united we stand strong" - but unity may prove illusive during the 6-month presidency. Jack Parrock, CGTN, Brussels.