Deputy PM Pekanov: Bulgaria needs to fulfil 66 commitments to receive 3.7 billion under the Recovery Plan

Bulgaria will receive BGN 3.7 billion in investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, but a total of 66 commitments must be met, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for EU funds management, Atanas Pekanov, said at a press conference on August 11.

By the end of the year our country expects the first 1.3 billion BGN, which are also set in the budget framework for this year, but there is still work to be done on the second tranche, Pekanov specified.

On the first tranche, which we expect, 22 legislative changes have to take place. It is important that this happens by the end of the year, as these funds are also foreseen in the budget.

Therefore, Pekanov urged the candidates to prepare on these bills and push them through the National Assembly.

"For the second payment, the work is much more serious, but here it is important to explain the process. It includes 66 measures. Of these, 22 are legislative changes. One law has been passed - this is the Employment Promotion Act, so far. Four others were in Parliament but were not passed. One of them has been adopted at first reading - that is the changes to the Trade Act. All the other measures outside of these - one passed, four in Parliament, all the others are at different stages of drafting - some are on a working group, some are in the initial stages and it is our job in the coming weeks to move them forward so that these bills are ready when Parliament starts working and my appeal to all those who want to become MPs is to now familiarise themselves with the things that will have to be passed by the next Parliament because we have made that commitment," Pekanov said.

More complex will be the six measures in the Energy Act and the Renewable Sources Act.

Pekanov assured that work is continuing on Bulgaria’s bid for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Bulgaria should not lag behind because the world is moving forward. The Council of Ministers has adopted the mechanism for negotiations with the OECD and will invite the head of the organisation to Bulgaria.

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