Bulgaria in Talks over "5+2" Operational Programs for 2014-2020 Period

Bulgaria and the European Commission are yet to negotiate funding under operational programs in the period 2014-2020 for the construction of second-class roads and subsidies for cultural and historical heritage, according to EU funds Minister Tomislav Donchev.

Donchev, as cited by Darik radio, said Monday that all projects using EU funds had to be with a pan-European focus, which is why Brussels was ready to finance roads leading to trans-European corridors but not other second-class roads.

He made clear that the EU was skeptical towards EU subsidies for cultural and historical sites due to bad experience with other countries.

"Europe, especially over the past 20 years, has been particularly connected in economic and political terms. A large part of the separative investing is impossible. It is just as ridiculous as a multi-family residential building where everybody tries to repair their part of the facade without consulting the neighbors," Donchev stated.

He informed that the programming of what he referred to as "5+2" operational programs was underway, adding that the government had decided on the successors of operational programs Transport, Environment, Regional Development, Human Resources Development, and Competitive Power.

He said that the two extra programs consisted of measures in the spheres of science and innovations about which there was a concept paper developed by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Science and academic circles.

Donchev explained that a concept paper had also been developed about the measures concerning administrative capacity.

Bulgaria's EU funds Minister said that he expected a decision by the EC on the so-called "+2" programs by the end of the year.

Donchev said that the EC was to decide whether any of the two programs would exist and which measures would be covered or financed under existing programs.