Bulgarian PM's Hypertensive Crisis Alleviated by Good Highway News

Bulgarian's outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who was admitted to hospital with a hypertensive crisis on Tuesday, felt much better when heard about the progress on the Struma motorway project, according to his Regional Development Minister.

"He is feeling better today," Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova told reporters on Wednesday, adding that that the good news about Struma "helped improve his condition."

Earlier on Wednesday, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski announced that the European Commission approved the project for the construction of lots 1, 2, and 4 of the Struma motorway.

Moskovski told journalists Wednesday that the total amount of the investment in the project was EUR 342 M, while the grant under the EU Cohesion Fund stood at EUR 274 M.

He made clear that the total amount of contracted EU funds had grown to over BGN 1.653 B and the paid-out funds to over BGN 676 M with the approved Struma motorway project.

Moskovski suggested that Lot 1 of the Struma motorway was to be launched by the end of 2013 and the construction of Lot 3 could start at some point in 2014, provided that the good pace of work was maintained.

Borisov and his Cabinet resigned last week mass protest rallies against unbearable utility bills and wide-spread poverty that turned into a civil unrest against the political model of ruling the country.