Bulgaria's FinMin Vows Urgent Measures over EU Funding Freeze

Bulgaria's Finance Minister Petar Chobanov has vowed urgent measures in connection with the temporary freeze of payments under the "Environment" Operational Program.

Chobanov, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), made clear Monday that concrete measures for coping with the situation would be presented by the end of the week.

He suggested that the payments had been stopped due to the flawed dialogue of the previous government with the European Commission.

Chobanov said that the government was in talks with the European Commission and the shortcomings were expected to be corrected shortly.

"We also took steps in connection with the audit procedures – the managing bodies have been notified about a change to the methodology as regards projects with mixed criteria and illegal practices in public procurement" he underscored.

Chobanov assured that the authorities were doing their best, adding that financial corrections were likely.

Bulgaria's Finance Minister claimed that a large portion of the shortcomings could be attributed to the work of the managing authority of the "Environment" OP and in the methodology for evaluating projects.

Chobanov went on to say that the government expected to reach an agreement with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) through dialogue, thereby preventing a nationwide strike.

The CITUB declared last week that a protest rally would be held on November 20 in Sofia to demand higher and more secure incomes.

Bulgaria's Finance Minister emphasized that the government was striving to solve the serious problems caused by the freeze on social payments over the past few years.

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