A budget of €28.4 million is expected for joint projects with the Republic of North Macedonia in the period 2021-2027

We are investing 46% more in border regions compared to 2014-2020

It is expected that over 28.4 million euro will be invested for the implementation of joint projects between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia in the programming period 2021-2027. This is the indicative budget of the cross-border cooperation programme between the two countries, after the Bulgarian government decided on 3 February to increase by 46% the share of the European Regional Development Fund in the programme compared to the current programming period 2014-2020, and the final approval of the proposal by the European Commission is currently pending.  With this decision, the Bulgarian government has reaffirmed the high potential and added value of the joint cross-border cooperation programme and the common projects for improving life and the economic situation in the region.

This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova, who co-chaired an online meeting of the joint working group for the preparation of the INTERREG-IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia for the period 2021-2027.On the side of the Republic of North Macedonia, the meeting was co-chaired by Zoran Dimitrovski - Deputy Minister of Local Government.

The working group approved an updated strategic framework for the future programme, which will allow the development of a draft programming document and commencement of negotiations with the European Commission.

Three are the main priorities that will be supported under the joint programme, it became clear at the meeting.  Among them are the implementation of the strategic project for the construction of the  Klepalo border chekpoint between Strumyani and Berovo. The second priority is directed towards the implementation of the integrated territorial approach under Policy Objective 5 "Europe Closer to  Citizens", which aims to directly link local needs to strategic development directions and to enable the local stakeholders to prioritise investments for improvement of the well-being of the region.    The priority will also give a hand to small and medium-sized businesses in the border region through targeted support with simplified financing instruments to modernise and expand production.  The programme will also fund projects under the European priority "Green Europe", aimed at building green infrastructure to reduce emissions and environmental pollution.  Nikolova clarified that this type of projects will be clearly distinguished from the targeted support to be received under the Just Transition Fund, as well as from the planned investments at a national level.

The meeting also took note of the progress of the current programme.  "We have one of the best performing programmes in the EU and the figures speak for themselves," the Deputy Regional Minister said. Currently 77 contracts have been signed for a total value of over EUR 19.4 million, representing almost 100% of the programme budget.  More than EUR 12.5 million have already been paid to beneficiaries on both sides of the border, which is almost 65% of its total resources.

Deputy Minister Nikolova also said that despite the difficulties related to the COVID pandemic, no delay in payments to beneficiaries of projects was allowed, thus the programme proved to be a reliable and predictable partner in the difficult moments of crisis.