The Draft Regional Development Plans for the Period 2007-2013 Have Been Prepared

The draft development plans for the six country regions have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Regional Development Act. The plans contain an analysis of the current economic, social and ecological state of the respective regions. They define the medium term strategic framework for the development of the regions including objectives, priorities and measures. The definition of the strategic objectives and priorities has taken into account both the specific features of the regions and the overall long-term regional policy framework set out in the National Strategy for Regional Development of the Republic of Bulgaria /2005-2010/. The plans span a seven-year period (2007-2013) and lay the basis for developing the National Operational Programme for Regional Development. The effective implementation of the plans requires a broad public support, therefore the process of their development and implementation is based on the principle of partnership. The presented drafts of the regional development plans are still at the preparation stage and all relevant comments and recommendations of stakeholders will be considered in finalizing the documents. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works’s Directorate for Regional Policy Strategic Planning will be in charge of analyzing all presented written recommendations. The draft regional development plans for the six regions of the country are posted on the Internet site of the Ministry: www.mrrb.government.bg. Public Relations and International Activities Directorate