Regional Development Minister Tserovski Meets with Eneko Landaburu

During his visit to Brussels, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Valentin Tserovski met with European Commission Enlargement Director General Eneko Landaburu. At the meeting Tserovski briefed the host on the priorities of the Bulgarian government and more specifically those of the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry, the advancement of reforms and progress of European integration efforts. He underscored the development of regional policy in Bulgaria, the debates on the Regional Development Bill, the process of decentralization and the dialogue with the local authorities and other social partners. He dwelled in detail on the EU membership negotiations on Chapter 21, Regional Policy, and on the utilization of the pre-accession instruments, and noted the successful cooperation between the Bulgarian ministries on the one side and the Delegation of the European Commission on the other side, as well as the benefit of regular consultations and joint work with the Commission experts. The two sides identified a substantial process in the work on Chapter 21, including inter-agency coordination in capacity-building vis-à-vis the utilization of pre-accession funding. Hope was expressed that the regular report on Bulgaria’s progress towards accession in 2003 will give the due recognition of the work done in the area of regional policy, which is a requisite for completing the membership negotiations in 2004 based on the principles and criteria of Copenhagen – for Bulgaria and Romania just as well as for the 10 acceding countries. Landaburu stressed that the negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania are part of the fifth EU enlargement wave. The two sides further talked about the opportunities for more successful cooperation with the European Commission for a full and effective utilization of Phare and ISPA funding with a view to accomplishing the government priorities in regional policy. Mr Landaburu voiced expectations that the EU accession talks will be completed for Bulgaria before the expiry of this Commission’s term. A wish was expressed for more active and frequent contacts. Public Relations and International Activity Directorate