Minister Pavlova: Debates on Next Programming Period Have Already Started

The debates on the next programming period have already began. The aim of the Bulgarian Presidency is to start the debate because we want to speed up the adoption of the framework budget and we want to ensure that what is of national interest, we could somehow put it in the right direction, the minister in charge for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, Lilyana Pavlova told BNT on 22^nd of May.

It is precisely the money for the so-called cohesion policy or in simple words to continue the investments for improving the infrastructure. The funds for common agricultural policy measures to support the development of agriculture and giving firm support to triple the budget for external borders and migration, is a direct increase of the budget for Bulgaria - Bulgaria as an external border. The new budget for digital Europe is a direct financial injection, support for Bulgaria to be an IT hub, attract IT investments and complete e-governance. Last but not least are education and social policies. They also envisage a doubling of the budget. This is a unique chance for our young people to travel and learn. So, we support the new budget parameters like migration and digital agenda, education. But we want to keep our budget for cohesion policy, for agricultural policy. Even with a minimum reduction.

As regards the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, Lilyana Pavlova said it was unique that it has two dimensions - the political one, which gave a clear direction that the only possible prospect for the Western Balkans is to be part of Europe and there is no plan B. But the huge added value is the second part - the Sofia agenda, where the connectivity projects were very clearly outlined.