site.btaEU Provides Many Opportunities, Knowing What, How to Achieve is Important, Says Montana Mayor

The European Union (EU) provides many opportunities, the important thing is to know what one wants and how to implement it, Montana Mayor Zlatko Zhivkov said during the local conference, held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project here on Monday. 

Zhivkov pointed out that as the Mayor of the regional town since 1999, he has had the opportunity to implement many projects with financing from the funds of the European Union. He noted that in 1999 Montana had a budget of BGN 9.6 million, including funds for the hospital and polyclinic, while today the budget is over BGN 100 million, not including BGN 24 million from EU funds.

He emphasized that most of the pipes of the water supply and sewerage in Montana were replaced in the period 2013-2015 with a budget of BGN 53 million, adding that today more than 80% of the pipes in the town are new. He also noted that a city wastewater treatment plant was built in 2009 with a budget of BGN 22 million and that for more than 100 years prior to the treatment plant's construction, all sewage waste was poured into the Ogosta River.

Zhivkov stated that in the last 24 years, more than BGN 120 million of European funds have been invested in ecological infrastructure in Montana Municipality. Montana has also implemented 12 projects under the programme for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Serbia, and there are also many implemented projects under the programme for cross-border cooperation with Romania, Zhivkov said, adding that currently several projects for transport connectivity are being implemented as well.

"Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe and one of three countries that have never changed their name. We do not need to convince anyone that we are geographically and civilizationaly in Europe. It is incredibly lucky that we are in the European Union and it is up to us to use the great opportunities that the European Union gives us," Zhivkov stressed, emphasizing to not listen to the clichés about northwestern Bulgaria, as the country is beautiful everywhere. "We have everything that others have, we work hard and use all the opportunities of the EU", Zhivkov concluded.

Through this initiative, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. Between November 2024 and September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.