Brussels Pushes Bulgaria to Speed up EU Funds Absorption

Bulgaria's EU Funds Minister, Tomislav Donchev (r), pictured at the EP Tuesday, admits that 15 Bulgarian municipalities have never applied to use EU funds. Photo by BGNES

The former EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hubner, asked Bulgaria's EU Funds Minister, Tomislav Donchev, to accelerate as much as possible the funds absorption in the country.

The two met in Brussels Tuesday during Donchev's first official visit.

The Minister without Portfolio told Hubner the speed of paying and negotiating regional development funds has increased significantly compared to last year – 7 and 1.5 times respectively.

Hubner, who is now Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the EP Regional Development Committee, offered advice to improve the work of municipal administration, saying many municipalities still have to learn how to use the EU funds, and pointing out the need to improve the administrative capacity at Bulgaria's Road Agency.

Donchev admitted that while several municipalities can be used as example of European projects even on the EU level, 15 others never applied to use EU funds. The Minister also stated he is not planning radical changes in the structures, managing EU funds in Bulgaria, because such move would mean halting the process for about 6 months.

During his visit, Donchev will also meet Dacian Ciolo?, Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner and László Andor, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Commissioner.

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