site.btaDeputy PM Zaharieva: Bulgaria Implements All EC Recommendations to Unblock European Funds

Deputy PM Zaharieva: Bulgaria Implements All EC Recommendations to Unblock European Funds


Sofia, September 5 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic
Policy, Minister of Regional Development and Minister of
Investment Planning Ekaterina Zaharieva has met with European
Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hanh and
representatives Directorate-General for Regional and Urban
Policy, the Council of MinistersÒ information service said
Friday.
   
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Transport,
Information Technologies and Communication, Nikolina Angelkova,
and the Deputy Minister of Regional Development Yordanka
Chobanova.
   
The sides discussed the current condition of operational
programmes Regional Development, Environment and Transport and
Transport Infrastructure, as well as the opportunities to
unblock the suspended funds under some of the programmes.
   
On the subject of Operational Programme Regional Development
Zaharieva said that progress has been made under the action plan
 to implement all corrective measures listed in the EC audit
report in the part related to the procedures for control of
public procurement and improving the capacity of the Managing
Authority and the beneficiaries.

By the end of September the audit authority is expected to
pronounce itself in respect to Priority Axis 3, which was
suspended completely and is now being paid only from the state
budget. Also by the end of the month the Bulgarian side will
send to the EC an opinion on the eradication of the faults of
the beneficiaries in the preliminary audit report.
   
Concerning Operational Programme Environment Bulgaria will send
as soon as possible its official position in response to the EC
letter with recommendations on the management and control
systems. On August 28 EC sent a letter with additional
requirements and recommendations as a result of the CommissionÒs
 audit mission to Bulgaria in May. The participants in the
meeting have agreed that it is possible to apply the flat-rate
financial correction to the amount of 9.5 per cent suggested by
the Commission.
   
Regarding Operational Programme Transport the sides discussed
the priorities of the programme for 2014-2020 with the aim of
finalizing negotiations and submitting it to the EC for
approval. It is particularly important for Hemus motorway to be
included for financing under the operational programme in its
entirety (from Yablanitsa in Central Bulgaria to Shoumen in
Northeastern Bulgaria), the press release said. In respect to
the present programme period it was confirmed that there is no
risk of funds for the current year.
   
The EC has expressed satisfaction that funds for co-funding the
railway projects have been found, as well as with the preventive
 measures taken for the high-risk projects.
   
Preparations for the next programming period on OP Regions and
Growth were also discussed. Progress was made on the matter of
28 level 4 towns (small settlements), providing that the
competitive principle at the selection of projects is abided by
in order to achieve growth, create jobs and preserve the
demographic potential./BR

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