The EC approved on Thursday the Operational Programme Good Governance, which foresees the allocation of EUR 336 M for improving the public administration and transparency of the judiciary in Bulgaria.

The majority of the funds (EUR 286 M) will be provided by the EU budget through the European Social Fund (ESF) for the 2014-2020 programme period.

European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva said that the approved funds will aid the fulfillment of the two most important and urgent reforms in Bulgaria – the judicial and administrative.

Georgieva expressed hope that the funds will contribute to the achievement of the long-awaited reforms in the judiciary and the establishment of a working electronic government.

The operational programme has two common goals – modernisation of the public administration and improving the quality, independence and the efficiency of the judicial system.

The programme will allocate EUR 118 M for lessening the administrative burden, improving the transparency of the public administration and the functioning of the public procurement system.

The improvements to electronic government foresee the establishment of sectoral systems such as: electronic public procurement, electronic healthcare and electronic customs.

Funds will be also allocated for improving accessibility and accountability of the judiciary through the introduction of a system of electronic justice.