site.btaEuropean Cohesion Policy, Benefits to Haskovo, Region, Discussed at BTA-Organized Local Conference

At a local conference organized at the BTA National Press Club here on Thursday within a project "Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future" which is implemented by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) with support from the European Commission, the participants discussed the European Cohesion Policy and its benefits for Haskovo and Haskovo Region.

Taking part were Haskovo Regional Governor Krasimir Angelov, Regional Information Centre Manager Evgeni Konsulov, Gergana Opanova, head of the Interreg - IPA CBC Bulgaria - Turkiye Programme Joint Secretariat, mayors and deputy mayors and municipal administration officials in the region.

Six projects to an aggregate value of more than BGN 25 million were implemented in Haskovo Municipality during the 2014-2020 programming period, improving local residents' quality of life, social inclusion and environmentally friendly surroundings, an expert said at the conference.

Konsulov reported that 1,610 projects worth over BGN 386 million, including BGN 313 million in grant funding, have been implemented or are under implementation in Haskovo Region during the 2014-2020 programming period. Haskovo Municipality tops the ranking in the absorption of EU funds, followed by Dimitrovgrad, Svilengrad and Harmanli. In his words, all more substantial investments and larger projects have become possible during the period thanks to financing from the EU funds or from the national budget.

Opanova said that 138 contracts worth EUR 31.8 million were financed by the Interreg - IPA CBC Bulgaria - Turkiye Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period, up from 103 contracts for EUR 28.7 million for the 2014-2020 period. The Programme's budget has been increased to BGN 34.4 million-plus during the present 2021-2027 period and is allocated to three priority axes.

Svilengrad Mayor Anastas Karchev said that his municipality ranks among the leaders in the absorption of EU funds, with over BGN 5,000 per resident.

Some 2,500 households in Dimitrovgrad Municipality are getting non-polluting heaters under a EU-funded projects for the improvement of ambient air quality, said Deputy Mayor Yasho Minkov. The project, totalling BGN 11.9 million, is being implemented under Operational Programme Environment 2014-2020.

Ivaylovgrad Municipality is implementing a BGN 8 million project for sustained restoration and conservation of the ancient Roman Villa Armira.