site.btaPresident Plevneliev Discusses Priorities of Future Caretaker Cabinet with Reformist Bloc

Sofia, July 31 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev Thursday met with representatives of the Reformist Bloc at his initiative. The priorities of the future caretaker cabinet topped the agenda of the discussions. The meeting was within the President's political dialogue with the parliamentary parties and the parties represented to the European Parliament.

According to Meglena Kuneva, the priorities of the caretaker cabinet are real and feasible. Kuneva told journalists she was impressed with the President's commitment to the partnership with the EU, the issue with the disbursement of the European funds and the country's priorities in the next seven years.

Kuneva recalled that the last revision of the Partnership Agreement with the European Commission should be completed in October and said that she shares the President's concern that there are many unpaid funds for already implemented projects. "If we do not have an approval from the Commission, these funds would not be reimbursed to the budget. There are many projects pending payment and if we do not do this, we would place a very high pressure on municipalities, the business and the people, who expect to get their money," she stated. 

Kuneva added that Plevneliev said the Bulgarian Medical Association and other sectoral organizations were also greatly concerned if the public finance system would withstand the pressure.

Kuneva said Bulgaria needs a budget which can cope with these important challenges. Asked about the Reformist Bloc's position on the national budget update, she said its position would be elaborated at an Executive Council meeting on Friday. The Reformist Bloc will seek a solution which serves the state interest and promotes stability. Kuneva added that the Bloc would back any measure that promotes Bulgaria's stability.

Questioned if the Reformist Bloc will be represented in the caretaker government, Kuneva said that no one in the Bloc had named names and that this had not been discussed with Plevneliev.