Out of the requested by Bulgaria 300 million euros from the European Solidarity Fund, the country will receive 6 percent or nearly 10.5 million euro. This was announced in Varna by Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Lilyana Pavlova at a joint press conference with the Minister of Sports Krasen Kralev and Mayor Ivan Portnih.
"Our main priority is the creation of a special unit at the Ministry of Regional Development and it must be done by December 20," said Pavlova.
The aim of the Solidarity Fund is to support all municipalities that have suffered from natural disasters this year.
"What is forthcoming is to develop rules for the operation of the Fund and the unit has to be approved by the European Parliament. Along with waiting for the approval of the Fund we will work with the municipalities on the prioritization and refinement of the projects," assured the Regional Minister.
Among the projects submitted for Varna are two draining channels in Asparuhovo neighbourhood, where there were casualties. "People who live there need our support," said Pavlova.
A total of 32 billion levs are funds that Bulgaria can get up to 2020 from the new operational programs in the programming period 2014-2020.
“As part of our main priorities and as a region to which we have major commitments undoubtedly belongs the construction of the highway Hemus," the minister said. "There were many interpretations on this topic, I assure you – the motorway will be built," clearly pointed out Liliana Pavlova. She said that during her visit to Brussels she learned that this highway was not intended for the financing of EU funds at all.
"With EU funds we will finish the Struma highway in its three lots, but with savings of from the prices of the tender offers we will build part of Hemus, too", it became clear from the words of the minister. The government has decided at this stage not to wait for these savings in order to start the construction of the northern Bulgaria's highway from the state budget and then from next year. Next year the first two lots or 60 km from Yablanitsa to Lovech will be launched. The target value is 185 million euros. "We have every intention to finish also the Shumen Belokopitovo," said construction minister Pavlova noting that the construction of this section has been secured with funds set aside by a special government decision in March 2013. "Subsequently, these funds were redirected to other projects and so far what has been disbursed is only 5 million levs while the actually needed is 40 million levs, for which will seek external financing," she added.
"Our next priority is the establishment of the National Energy Efficiency Programme of multi-family housing," said Pavlova and assured that the programme will start off with significant financial resources.
“The requests for funds in Budget 2015 is about 200 million levs. The programme will limit itself to the panel neighbourhoods, because there the need is higher," said Minister Pavlova.
The program will apply the principle of delegated budgets.
