site.btaSofia's NDK Convention Centre Is Being Overhauled to Host Bulgarian EU Presidency Events

Sofia's NDK Convention Centre Is Being Overhauled to Host Bulgarian EU Presidency Events

Sofia, December 30 (BTA) - An overhaul of Sofia's National Palace of Culture (NDK) began in early December and is to be completed in September 2017. The convention centre is being prepared to host more than 20,000 delegates to the principal events during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2018, NDK said.

"We will have to make sure that the decisions that will be adopted here about Europe's future would be the best ones for Bulgaria," NDK Executive Director Miroslav Borshosh said.

The EU Council will hold its plenary meetings at NDK's Hall 3, which will be more functional than its counterpart in Brussels. Another six halls, Entrance A3 and A6, the central, eastern and western lobbies, the facade, the terraces and the roof will be refurbished as well. The information system, the floorings and the lighting will be completely renovated.

A new energy efficiency strategy will be implemented, cutting dramatically electricity and heat consumption. The management and communication systems will be digitalized.

The overhaul costs 35 million leva, of which half has been remitted so far.