site.btaDeputy Finance Minister Danovski Attends General Affairs Council

Ministers for Cohesion Policy of the EU Member States held a meeting in Brussels today. Bulgaria was represented by Deputy Finance Minister Martin Danovski, his ministry said on Thursday. During the political debate, ministers exchanged views on how the shared management of cohesion funds between the European Commission and member states could be improved, in line with the subsidiarity principle.

Deputy Minister Danovski said that the cohesion objectives can only be achieved if the principles of shared and multi-level governance and partnership are preserved. He stressed that shared governance is the "golden mean" ensuring a balance between all levels of governance: European, national, regional and local. It creates an environment in which everyone can contribute and add value to the success of the EU, in addition to ensuring the participation and awareness of civil society, the private sector and local communities. Bulgaria's position is that more efforts are needed to simplify, coordinate and harmonize the rules for the different development funds for the successful implementation of the integrated territorial approach to investment. At the same time, support for administrative capacity, especially in less developed regions, is crucial for equal access and effective regional participation in the implementation of European priorities.

In his remarks, Danovski stressed that it is important to complete the reforms to create favourable conditions for the smooth implementation of the investments in convergence, growth and employment. The relevant reforms need to take more account of the specificities of regions and their development objectives based on their strengths.

He concluded by noting that Cohesion Policy has a number of instruments for good implementation and results. The possible introduction of new delivery models requires not radical changes but a careful, building-on approach based on working practices and mechanisms and the analysis of the challenges of programme delivery. It is important to first draw lessons from the implementation of the different EU support instruments.

During the meeting, the ministers adopted Council conclusions on the role of cohesion policy in tackling demographic challenges, in the preparation of which Bulgaria took an active part. At Bulgaria's suggestion, the text of the conclusions included references to demographic challenges in less developed regions and regions trapped in talent development, which require a holistic approach.