site.btaDeputy Social Policy Minister Lazarov Meets with Expert Kosovo Delegation

Caretaker Deputy Social Policy Minister Lazar Lazarov said Thursday that a reform in the field of social services is among the priorities of the Ministry. During a meeting with a expert Kosovo delegation, which is in the country to gain experience and build the capacity of its workforce in the field of social services, Lazarov noted that the effective implementation of such reform would not be possible without the active cooperation and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders.

During the talks, the Deputy Social Policy Minister presented the main principles of the Social Services Act, which is the basis of the reform in the sector. Experts stressed that it regulates all key issues for the sector related to the mechanisms for planning, provision, financing, control and monitoring of social services in Bulgaria, the Ministry reported.

Emphasis was also placed on the decentralization of social services, which are financed by the state budget. "Their main providers are the municipalities. They are responsible for their management and provision at the local level, as well as for the lawful spending of the funds allocated to them from the state budget," Lazarov explained.

A few days ago, the press service of the Council of Ministers announced that Lazarov and Natalia Efremova were appointed as deputy ministers of labour and social policy. Elka Nalbantova was dismissed from the same post.