Bulgarian Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Lilyana Pavlova opened Tuesday a conference themed “European Territorial Cooperation in Bulgaria – achievements lead to new prospects”.

The event was held at the Sofia Hotel Balkan in the capital Sofia.

In the frames of the conference, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova presented a report on the results achieved under European Territorial Cooperation programmes in 2007-2013 and also information about the programmes which Bulgaria will participate in until 2020.

A discussion was also held and good practices related to the implementation of programmes were shared.

Representatives of the European Commission (EC) and the national partner institutions under the cross-border cooperation programmes were also present at the event.

The best projects realised under European Territorial Cooperation programmes in the past period were awarded.
At the end of the conference, Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova inaugurated an exhibition themed “History in photos of the territorial cooperation programmes in Bulgaria”.

Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Lilyana Pavlova delivered a statement at the opening of the event.

“12 programmes worth over EUR 1.2 billion will be be carried out under cross-border cooperation programmes in the new programme period,” she said.

Ms Pavlova noted the programmes played a big role in the improvement of cooperation between municipalities and businesses operating in border regions.

“This is highly important partnership on the Balkans we engage in under cross-border cooperation programmes. We are today officially launching these 12 programmes with a large budget with which investments in our countries and the rest of partners could be over EUR 1.2 billion under the 12 programmes for cross-border and trans-national cooperation,” the minister remarked further.

She insisted Europe was a “Europe of regions” nowadays and borders should not divide people.

“We should do everything jointly, sharing experience and observing the principle of good neighbourly relations,” Lilyana Pavlova opined.

“We support the regions that are lagging behind the most through cross-border cooperation programmes,” the senior government official went on to say.

Pavlova stressed lots of successful projects had been realised under programmes for cross-border cooperation in the past programme period.

“Those that had the most marked effect and were of the greatest significance will be awarded not only because they were well set up but because of the result they achieved,” the minister commented.

She pointed out the Managing Authority in the face of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works had done things in a manner in which no financial resources were lost.

“The 2015 goals have already been achieved,” Pavlova commented.

She explained the implementation of programmes and experience gained over the years were the reason why the new programmes for cross-border cooperation had been among the first ones to be sent and approved by the European Commission (EC).

According to Minister Pavlova, these programmes are now open for financing.

Lilyana Pavlova noted it was 25 years this year since European territorial cooperation in Europe started.

She was explicit there would be projects in the future people would be proud of.

Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova delivered a statement at the conference as well.

“We have opportunities to realise larger cross-border projects,” she said. According to her, the effect they are after is European territorial cooperation.

There are 29 new places for trainings, 12 newly-established networks for environment protection, and 19 joint eco-routes under the IPA Cross Border Programme between Bulgaria and Macedonia.

Cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey focused on sustainable economic development in the trans-border region, and others; there were 51 joint cultural events, and 16 new places for trainings.

Nikolova specified the programme with Serbia focused on an improved infrastructural environment, new business connections, strategies, and others.

She noted the programme between Bulgaria and Romania focused on cross-border and transport infrastructure and environment.

As regards Bulgarian-Greek cooperation, Denitsa Nikolova said the measures concerned boosting the attractiveness of the region, sensors for monitoring water as well as centres for control over and testing waters.

“In the past programme period Bulgaria has participated in 11 programmes for territorial cooperation,” the deputy minister noted further.

Nikolova explained 5 of them were related to Bulgaria’s neighbouring countries and aimed at development of border territories.

The budget of territorial cooperation programmes in the past programme period totals some BGN 3.2 billion.

672 agreements at the amount of over BGN 1.1 million were signed under the cross-border cooperation programmes.

Denitsa Nikolova awarded 15 of the most successful projects realised in the past programme period, thanking all partners and beneficiaries.

The awarded projects included 3 projects under the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Serbia; 3 projects under the IPA Cross Border Programme between Bulgaria and Macedonia; 3 projects under the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Turkey; 2 projects under the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Romania; 2 projects under the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Greece.

The award under the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme was given to the Rail4SEE Rail Hub Cities for South East Europe project.

The award under the Black Sea Basin Programme was presented to the Research and Restoration of the Essential Filters of the Sea (REEFS) project.