Building a cycle path along the Danube with Romania

Exploring new transport links and financial support for small and medium-sized businesses are the other strategic areas in the new cross-border programme

A cycle path along the Danube, part of the Euro Velo 6 route, a full feasibility study for the construction of new bridges and transport links between Bulgaria and Romania and financial support for small and medium-sized businesses in the border areas of the two countries.  These are the three strategic areas that will be proposed for funding by the European cross-border cooperation programme Romania-Bulgaria in the next programming period 2021-2027.

Parameters of the programme were discussed at an onlining meeting of the Joint Working Group on Strategic Planning and Programming, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova, experts from the Ministry of Public Works, Development and Administration of Romania, representatives of the Directorate General Regional Policy of the European Commission and others.

The future programme, a draft of which is expected to be presented by the middle of next year, is expected to be oriented towards two goals:  "Europe closer to the people" and a "More Connected Europe". In addition, a clear focus on direct support to small and medium-sized enterprises is foreseen, insofar as they are the most vulnerable to the impacts of crises.  Complementarity and alignment of resources with national operational programmes is also supported.

The strategic orientation of the programme covers the implementation of two key projects for our country, which will contribute to connectivity, mobility, tourism development along the  Danube and the creation of preconditions for complementary economic development.

Priorities for Bulgaria are the preparation of a comprehensive feasibility study for the Danube River, which will identify and justify the construction of new or the expansion of existing bridge structures, the condition and potential of the river ports.  It will identify the most suitable locations and prioritise specific points for future transport facilities to provide a solid basis for attracting strategic investors and funding from various European and national sources.  A key project is the construction of a cycle route along the Danube. It will connect all the settlements in the border region of Northern Bulgaria, and will also provide links to branches to other settlements in the country.

The future programme will also provide funding for projects for the development of the local business environment, social inclusion, tourism, conservation of natural and cultural heritage, etc., which should respect the principles of partnership, integrated measures and clear economic effects for the areas of Northern Bulgaria included in the programme.

Deputy Minister Nikolova noted that in the new programming period the emphasis is placed on the change in the strategic orientation of the programme in order to implement a stronger territorial approach based on the potential and specific needs of the border regions.  In this way, she said, larger target groups would be covered and the impact of EU investments would be more visible.