Bulgaria's Environment Minister Dzhevdet Chakurov signed Monday the first contracts for the distribution of EU money under the Environment Operational Program. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Bulgaria's Environment Minister Dzhevdet Chakurov and the mayors of several Bulgarian cities and towns signed Monday the first contracts under EU's Environment Operational Program.
The contracts for the distribution of EUR 234 M for the construction of water purification stations, technical support on water supply, and garbage disposal management were signed with the Mayors of Blagoevgrad, Sliven, Veliko Turnovo, Sofia's Ovcha Kupel Quarter, Pernik, Kavarna, Primorsko, Ruen, Troyan, Pazardzhik, Silistra, Dolen Chiflik, and Gabrovo.
Bulgarian projects for a total of BGN 1,05 B have already been approved under EU's Environment Operational Program, which is 30% of the EUR 1,8 B that Bulgaria is supposed to receive under this program by 2013.
Minister Chakurov said he expected that more projects for additional 30% of the total EUR 1,8 B would be approved by April-May of 2009.
In his words, the Environment Ministry was aiming at absorbing all of the EU money under the Environment Program ahead of schedule, which would then entitle it to request additional funds from the Union.