site.bta Sofia Mayor Fandakova Confers with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Cretu

Sofia Mayor Fandakova Confers with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Cretu

Amsterdam, April 21 (BTA) - Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova conferred here with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, Sofia Municipality said in a press release Thursday. The two discussed the projects included in the new OP Regions in Growth 2014-2020. The meeting was held during an EU capitals mayors' conference in Amsterdam.

Cretu noted that Sofia has achieved very good results in the implementation of EU funded projects. The EU Commissioner will visit the Bulgarian capital this June.

The contracts included in OP Regions in Growth 2014-2020 will be signed next week. The Programme's managing authority has approved an investment programme for Sofia in the amount of 279.7 million leva, of which 238.3 million leva are grants.
The main projects are energy efficiency measures and rehabilitation of 26 schools and kindergartens, the second phase of the integrated urban transport project, renovating three zones in central Sofia, renovating Sofia Theater, the "Sredets" Cultural Institute, as well as buildings of social institutions.

During the forum, Fandakova conferred with the mayors of Vienna and Amsterdam, Michael Haupl and Eberhard van der Laan, respectively. The European Commission selected Amsterdam as European Capital of Innovations for 2016. Fandakova and Eberhard van der Laan discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of innovations and their utilization for urban development. The Mayor of Amsterdam expressed desire to visit Sofia, the press release said.