site.btaOECD Delegation Visits Yambol Region

A delegation of the Regional Development Policy Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) paid a visit to Yambol Region on Thursday. The visit is related to the assessment of Bulgaria's readiness to join the international organisation.

Thursday's meeting was hosted by Tundzha Municipality. Attending were representatives of the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry, Yambol Deputy Regional Governor Nikolay Kostadinov, mayors and deputy mayors of the municipalities of Elhovo, Bolyarovo, and Straldzha, and directors of local steering groups.

The regions of Yambol and Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria) are both on the programme of the OECD representatives' visit, Georgi Sabev, advisor to Bulgarian MEP Ivo Hristov, told reporters. The visit to Yambol was initiated by Sabev while he was deputy minister of agriculture.

Based on the information collected in the two regions, the OECD will prepare a report related to the assessment of Bulgaria's readiness to join, Sabev explained. Being a  member of this organisation is a matter of prestige for Bulgaria. This country along with Romania and Croatia are the only states not in the OECD yet. Sabev expressed the hope that Bulgaria will join no later than 2026.

Thursday's meeting was also aimed at assessing the challenges the various regions face and how the rural and urban areas are cooperating in handling them.