`The last few years have been successful in terms of the support the World Bank provides to Bulgaria, with financial aid rising tangibly, as well as the efficiency of projects`, World Bank Mission Leader for Bulgaria Thomas O`Brian and the Outgoing PM Ivan Kostov agreed with on Friday, making a review of the Bank`s programmes in Bulgaria and discussing the future projects. `Some 3-4 years ago the programmes in Bulgaria wouldn`t stand comparison with the programmes in other counties and now they are among the best in Europe and Central Asia`, O`Brian said. According to him among the examples of successful programmes are the five blood transfusion centres, the projects in municipalities with high unemployment where nearly 40,000 jobs were opened, the projects for equipment for the water power plant at
Belmeken-Sestrimo, for elimination of past pollution in the area of major industrial producers such as the Pirdop copper smelter. O`Brian said at the meeting that the WB is fully aware of the challenge to reduce unemployment, provide jobs and improve the welfare of ordinary people, as well as to bring medical and education services up to the necessary level. He hopes that the WB programme of active support will continue and said that steps have been taken to guarantee continuity with regard to the WB projects in the work with the Simeon II National Movement. Ivan Kostov praised in highly positive terms the Bank`s performance in Bulgaria and the constructive relations it had with the Government. He stressed the importance of continuity in the country`s relations with the international financial institutions and expressed hope that O`Brian will stay in Bulgaria longer as the Bulgarian team of the International Monetary Fund is now changing.

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