site.btaFinance Minister Discusses Changes to Recovery and Resilience Plan Proposed in Talks with EU Commission

Negotiations with the European Commission on Bulgaria's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and the RePowerEU chapter have resulted in proposed changes to 32 investments and 14 reforms, Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said on Tuesday.

Petkova noted that significant progress was made during technical and political discussions in August and September concerning Component 4: Low-Carbon Economy of the RRP and the RePowerEU chapter. She emphasized that due to substantial changes in energy sector investments and reforms, it is essential to inform the National Assembly of the proposed changes to maintain transparency with the European Commission.

Petkova said that three National Assembly decisions require potential revisions. The first, dated January 12, 2023, involves changes to the RRP in the energy sector. The second, from July 20, 2023, concerns specific actions by state authorities regarding Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD. The third decision, dated April 25 this year, secures funding for Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD from 2024 to 2028 for the technical reclamation of land in the area.

Petkova mentioned that proposals for changes to the RRP and the RePowerEU chapter must be submitted to the Council of Ministers by September 30 and then promptly presented to Parliament.

Petkova explained: "We propose changes to 32 investments and 14 reforms. The changes mainly involve updating the description of implementation goals due to delays caused by various factors, better alternatives for their implementation, or alignment with actual contracts signed with recipients or contractors." These adjustments include reducing or reallocating funds for investments due to saved funds or the elimination of certain activities. She noted, "The changes also foresee the withdrawal of certain goals towards the third payment under the RRP. Bulgaria is the only EU member state that has not officially presented the RePowerEU chapter, and to benefit from the EUR 479 million grant, the amendment to the RRP must be approved by the European Commission."

Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova and Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov spoke at a hearing during the extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly earlier in the day. They talked about the approaching September 11, 2024, deadline, pertaining to the report adopted under Protocol No. 30 at the Council of Ministers' meeting on July 24, 2024, which calls for actions to amend the RRP and to draft a proposal for the RePowerEU chapter.