Bulgaria could still have to catch up with average European levels of economic and social development after 2020, a report by the National Audit Office argues.

Lack of priorities in distributing EU funds between 2014-2020 might be one of the reasons leading Bulgaria to lag behind, according to the document's conclusions, quoted by Investor.bg.

In its report, the Audit Office was to find out whether the country is ready to manage European funding for the 2014-2020 period.

The auditing body has looked into administrative actions from January 01, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

It has discovered that, as of December 2013 (an virtually as of April 16) no legal regulations to manage EU funds for the next six years have been adopted.

No priorities have yet been set to tackle long-standing problems in Bulgaria such as poverty and flawed healthcare system and to address issues in public governance, innovations, work efficiency, fighting corruption, rule of law, etc.

Strategic documents referring to the upcoming period have successfully named factors hindering employment and economic growth, but have failed to adopt measures vital to healthcare and education.

The authors of the Audit Office's report argue that the potential of EU funds could be of use to Bulgaria if it goes hand in hand with comprehensive, coherent and flexible legal framework.

"Excessive bureaucracy" should reduce its burden on EU projects, an electronic management of operational programs should be fully introduced to avoid institutional instability and political interference.

The auditing body has echoed concerns shared earlier by MEPs that EU funds might be stopped for Bulgaria unless it changes its approach to the was European money are allocated and used.

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