site.btaTransport Minister: Remaining Reforms under National Recovery and Resilience Plan Are at Very High Risk of Not Happening

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjov told a briefing on Wednesday that remaining reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan are at a very high risk of not happening. As a reason for this, he pointed to the short time left until the deadlines. The minister assured that work is underway to meet the commitments set out in the Plan.

Regarding the remaining projects to be implemented, Karadjov said that the evaluation of tender documents for the purchase of 35 new electric trains is already underway. The time remaining for implementation is 16 months.

"We had talks with the European Commission last week and we encountered understanding," Minister Karadjov said. "As I had previously announced, I will make an attempt and most likely save this investment," he аdded.

Karadjov noted that another investment at risk is that for broadband access in the country. According to Karadjov, the deadline for submitting documents for the project is April 11, and a possible appeal could hinder the installation of more than 7,000 kilometres of fiber optic cables and active devices for 5G mobile network coverage.