COMMISSIONER KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA: BULGARIA COULD EXPECT 32 BILLION BGN FROM EU FUNDS IN THE NEW PROGRAMME PERIOD

Bulgaria will be among the leaders regarding EU funds absorption, the European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva told BNT on 17th of August. Bulgaria could receive 32 billion BGN from EU funds in the new programme period, she said.

The EU Commissioner added that dealing with the wave of asylum seekers remained one of the main issues for the EU. She commented the possibility that 5,600 refugees who passed through Bulgaria and subsequently went to Western Europe might be returned to Bulgaria.

As a major problem for the Bulgarian economy, Georgieva pointed the fact that the growth was mainly due to EU funding, rather than private investments. According to her, an obstacle for the investment in Bulgaria appeared to be slow solving of problems. She suggested changes to the legislation on bankruptcy to be considered because currently it did not provide for a possibility for entrepreneurs to go bankrupt and start fresh.

She highlighted that budget 2016 would differ from other budgets because there would be a bond between priorities and finances allocated for their implementation.The funds for education and for handling migration processes will be increased by 30%. 11% more will be provided for competitiveness.

Kristalina Georgieva praised all who worked on EU programmes and said that Bulgaria would be among the top three leading countries regarding EU funds absorption.

At the end of the interview, Georgieva wished every success to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest which would be held in Sofia in November and promised she would attend the final.