site.btaFocus on Delays in Preparations for Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency - Deputy PM

Focus on Delays in Preparations for Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency - Deputy PM

Sofia, February 15 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister Denitsa Zlateva said the caretaker government reaffirmed its political will to prioritize the Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2017 and guarantee continuity and a much better dialogue among the institutions. By the end of Wednesday, the site of the Bulgarian EU Presidency will offer the entire information, the areas of delay and the measures taken to address it.

Speaking after the cabinet's meeting, Zlateva said there was room for improvement in the coordination among the responsible departments. For instance, some issues in the security area have been outstanding for two or three months. The Interior Ministry, the National Service for Protection and the other institutions are expected to solve all problems so the overhaul of the National Palace of Culture can start, she said.

There is a certain delay in the drafting of the future Communication Strategy and the cultural programme. The financing of all EU Presidency-related activities is also a priority. "The Finance Minister has assured me that the updated planned budget for the EU Presidency in 2017 will be submitted to the cabinet. The planned expenditures for this and next year are 50 million leva each," said Zlateva.

No experts involved in the preparations for the Bulgarian EU Presidency have been replaced. A few more heads of working groups in Bulgaria will be appointed, and 80 people will be posted to Brussels during the Presidency. More appointments are to follow.

The priorities of Bulgaria's EU Presidency are expected to be approved in March.