Denitsa Nikolova: Melting the differences between small and large towns will be the main priority of the MRDPW during the EU presidency

Bulgaria also takes over the presidency of the Danube strategy

The balanced development of regions and encouraging cooperation based on partnerships will be the priorities of the Ministry of regional development and public works during Bulgaria's presidency of the EU. This was announced in Haskovo by Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova, who took part in a public discussion on the programme and priorities of the MRDPW during Bulgaria's presidency of the EU. The prefect of Haskovo Stanislav Dechev, the Mayor of Haskovo Municipality Dobri Belivanov, representatives of the local administration, employer, sector, and non-governmental organizations etc. participated in the forum.

Deputy Minister Nikolova stressed that polycentric development of regions is of extreme importance for the preservation of smaller towns in our country and in Europe. “Our aim is to provide policies and financing not only for large cities, but also for the smaller regions and towns in order to stop their depopulation and the negative economic trends, so that they develop instead of falling behind", she noted.  Other aims include a closer relationship between the policy of territorial cohesion with matters of urban development and mutual relations between territorial cohesion and urban development, strengthening functional links between cities and peripheral supporting centers of growth, the connection between them with modern infrastructure with the financial support of the EU and other sources. Another important task is the application of indicators detecting the effect of implemented projects and policies at regional level and the effect of integrated investments made in this programme period of the EU, which we expect will continue in the future. These indicators will give real information about the way regions are affected by implemented investments with European and national financing, for a clearer direction for future development. It is important to develop a mechanism for the way resources will be managed at local, regional, and national level.

“All efforts we will be making in the future are directed toward the reduction of imbalances in the country", noted Deputy Minister Nikolova. She indicated that the Northwestern and the Western central region have the worst demographic, social, and economic indicators and need specific measures for cohesion for better economic development.

It also became clear at the public discussion that to implement the indicated priorities, MRDPW will cooperate with the European network for monitoring of territorial development and cohesion /ESPON/, which will develop indicators for integrated territorial and urban development, instruments and approaches for polycentric development.

"In 2018, Bulgaria will also take over the presidency of the Danube strategy", announced Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova. Our country will preside over the programme for development of regions along the river bank, with a series of initiatives planned by MRDPW in the period from mid-October of this year until mid-October 2018. “Achieving sustainable development is our main priority during this presidency", explained Deputy Minister Nikolova and added that next year, we will host a high-level forum focused on tourism, culture, economic development.

A total of 14 countries participate in the Danube strategy, 9 of which are EU members, and the remaining are either in the process of accession to the union, or are outside of it. The strategy, however, gives a chance for unification and common initiatives among all of them with regard to projects for connection, environmental preservation, sustainability in the region, and building prosperity. Bulgaria is a co-coordinator in the area of culture and tourism, and also on the security priority. “There is no specific financial resource for implementation of the Danube strategy priorities, but a significant number of EU sources contribute for implementation of priorities in it", said also Denitsa Nikolova.

During the presidency, an Annual forum at a high political level will be held in Bulgaria on the subject of “Economic growth and territorial cohesion through investments in tourism, including also through financial instruments", planned for the Autumn of 2018.

In Haskovo, Deputy minister Denitsa Nikolova opened also the celebration for the Day of European cooperation within the programme INTERREG V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020. The event under the motto "Let us discover near and distant lands together” was held in the Regional history museum. It features an exhibition of postcards from the 20th century showing how the look of large Bulgarian and European cities changed in the last century, educational games are hosted for adolescents etc.

“The celebration shows Europe in its essence, that we are one family, of which Bulgaria is also a part. Europe without borders shows what can be achieved regardless of ethnic or cultural identity, by seeking opportunities for new common projects without care for territorial borders", stated Deputy Minister Nikolova. She said that in the present programme period, our country has access to financing within 12 programmes for cross-border and territorial cooperation with a total budget of over EUR 1 billion. Thanks to them, we are developing regions and primarily, border areas. “Bulgaria's look is changing through these projects, and in partnership with the other countries, we are achieving common goals and a higher quality of life", noted Nikolova. The programme for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece has a budget of EUR 130 million, she said, and announced that the projects have a high level of importance for the population.

Deputy minister Denitsa Nikolova and the Mayor of Haskovo Municipality Dobri Belivanov inspected the renovated primary schools “Ivan Rilski” and “Sandor Petofi” as well as the kindergarten “Slantse” in the city. The educational establishments were renovated with funds from Operational programme “Regions in growth” 2014-2020. They have been completely transformed for the new school year, and besides a new, modern facade and energy efficiency measures, the buildings have also been equipped with new furniture. The yard areas and sports facilities are especially impressive. Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova gave a high evaluation of the implemented repairs and stressed that this way children will be educated in a more modern environment with a better quality level. In parallel with this, the Municipality offers better opportunities for education and upbringing of children, which would keep young families in the regions and would even stimulate a higher birth rate. Haskovo Municipality will receive a total of BGN 27 million from OP “Regions in growth” within the programme period until 2020 for modernization of the city's infrastructure.